ALL BLACKS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18408, 15 June 1925, Page 11

ALL BLACKS.

WIN BY 23 POINTS. HOME TEAM COLLAPSES NEAR END. (BT CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATIOX— COPYRIGHT.) (AUSTRALIAN AXD K.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received June 14th, 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, June 33. Fifteen thousand people witnessed the first Test between the All Blacks and New South Wales. The weather was dull and threatening and tho ground on the soft side as the result of recent rainsi The teams were as follows: All Blacks:—Full-back, J. 11. Harris; three-quarters, G. D. Wise, G. ?.L Blako, W. Elvy; five-eigfcths, H. A. Mat'son, L. M. Johnston; half-back, D. 11. Wright; forwards, J. G. Donald (wing), A. E. Lomas, A. Kirkpatrick, L. S. Eighton, B. Findlayson, G. A. McNab, D. son, G. A. Archer. New South Wales:—Full-back, A. W. Eoss; three-quarters, O.'C. Crossman, A. E. Toby, Anderson, A. J. A. Bowers; five-oighth, Eaiubow; half-back, O. W. Humphreys; forwards, E. J. Thorn (captain), Bryant, E. N. Greatorex, C. L. Fox, Hill, T. S. Smith, J. Blackwood, and T. S. A. Davis Pirst Half Even. In the first half New South Wales had tho advantago of tho wind, and they made good use of it, but all their efforts to kick goals failed. Play was mostly iu the All Blacks' territory during tho first half, but they managed to keep tho homo team out. Tho All Blacks proved a fast and nippy set of players who with practice will improve considerably. Their combination was good, but their passing rushes were apt to break down on account of over-keenness. New South Wales were much superior in this respect. The handling of tho ball by both sides was not of tho best, but there woro somo uotablo exceptions. The game was a splendid exhibition of wing play. Elvy was oasily tho best back on tho ground, with Blake and Wise prominent. New South Wales were heavier in the scrum and obtained the ball more than their opponents, and were usually superior in line-outs. Line kicking was also a feature of the play. Eoss (New South Wales's full-back) played an excellent game, his long line kicks, especially in the second half, frequently saving his> side from "trouble. At half-time the score was three all. This gives a fair indication of the merits of the teams, but in the latter part of the second half New South Wales went to pioces and the All Blacks had things the'ir own way. New South Wales Attack. New South Wales commenced to attack from the outset. Bowers took the ball down the line, but Eighton marked and rolievod the pressure. The attack ' was, however, maintained. Harris marked on the line, and then play shifted back to half-way, but a long line kick by Eoss again brought the All Blacks' lino into danger. Matson smartly intercepted a pass and a certain score by the Blue backs was [.spoiled by a knock-on. The All Blacks were several, times penalised in their own territory, but New South Wales, like them, lacked good goal kickers, all their attempts going wide. Bowers retired after twenty minutes and was replaced by Mulligan. Greatorex knocked the ball on near the All Blacks' line. From the resulting scrum the same player pushed his way over, but Crossman failed to convert. New South Wal«s.« >.- 3 All Blacks .. .. O A few minutes later Wright started tho All Blacks going. In a scramble in the cbrner itirkpatrick crossed over, but Dickson's kick fell short. New South Wales.. ..3 AU Blacks .. ... 3 The All Blacks continued to attack, and Johnson was forced out close to the New South Wales line. Faulty handling by the All Blacks' backs raised the hopes of New South Wales bupporters, hut the All ©lacks'forwards retrieved the position. Greatorex, who was the «mo9t prominent among the *Ne\v South Wales forwards,' commenced a lively movement, but his pass was intercepted and the danger averted. The Blues continued to attack in the second half, but a passing movement by the All Blacks saw Wiso pulled down at the New Soijth Wales twenty-five, after which, except for sporadic rushes, the game remained in tho Blues' half. An All Black forward rush took the ball to tho Hne, where a scrum from a knock-on ■ favoured New South Wales, the ball being sent into touch. Off-side play by the All •Blacks spoiled a promising piece of play. The ball went to Crossman, who made a speedy run past half-way, and Wise, in diving to collar him, succeeded, but was temporarily laid out. A brilliant back passing rush from a lino : out' resulted in Elvy getting over at the corner. Harris's kick failed. ' All Blacks *«. •.«■ 6 New South Wales.. .. 3 Elvy again made a great dash down the line, but was pushed out. Wright, behind the scrum, was responsible for much good work. He was setting the backs moving well. From a piece of off-side play, by Greatorex Dickson had a kick at tho goal. ''The ball hit the post and bounced over the line. Kicking by Boss enabled the Blues to invade the All Blacks' half, but the latter were equal to the occasion, and play went back to the Blues' line, where Humphreys picked tho ball out of a scrum. Harris's kick fell just outside the post. All Blacks -. ..9 New South Wales.. .. 3 ■v7iee, from half-way, made a good nm down the line, but Bainbow intercepted his pass and kicked the ball, which came into Elvy's hands, Elvy again distinguished himself by a great at foot of next column.)

run, crossing at the corner. Johnson's kick failed. b All Blacks . .. ..12 • New South Wales. . ..3 New South Wales were unable to profit by their forwards' efforts, and in the last ten minutes the whole side seemed to lose heart, the All Blacks being allowed to score thrice in quick succession. On the first occasion Wise made a dash down tho line and then passed to Lomas, who crossed. Then clever 'work by Blake saw Righton over, and Wise was again prominent in taking the ball in front of the posts, cutting in and scoring. Dickson converted the latter try. The other kicks failed. Just on time Wise again got over at the corner. Johnson's kick was .unsuccessful and the game ended: All Blacks .. ..26 New South Wales. . ..3