THE ALL BLACKS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18415, 23 June 1925, Page 10

THE ALL BLACKS.

FIRST GAME IN SYDNEY.

A GREAT PACK OF FORWARDS.

(rBOM A SPECIAL COBRESPOXDEJfT.)

SYDNEY, June 13.

Light showers during the twenty-four hours preceding the first match between the New Zealand team and the elect of New South Wales had put the usually hard playing area in Excellent order, and but for a fairly strong breeze which blew from goal to goal the plaj'ing conditions were ideal. Donald's claim at the Mayoral reception that New Zealand is not a one or two fifteen country was amply justified by the rapid manner in which his team gained combination, and gave a characteristic Dominion display. In-the closing stages of the game they shaped in such unison that it was hard to believe they had not already had a series of games together. New South Wales played with t'.e wind, and for a time had the better of the game territorially, but they failed to make any use of their advantage, and the Blacks slowly but surely took the upper hand, and had as much of the game as their opponents. The sure fielding of high kicks by .forwards aivi backs alike was a feature of the spe"., and nullified the efforts of the Bhu>s to keep within striking distance of tin visitors' line. Shortly before half-time the Blues, as the result of a fine kick by Eoss, attacked strongly, and from some loose play close to the line Great : ' orex forced his way over and scored. Orossmah failed at goal. Within two minutes the Blacks equalised. Wrignt picked up, and, running to Wise's wing, passed to the latter, who returned the ball to Wright, who handed to Kirkpatrick, the latter scoring fairly close to the posts. Erom then to the close of the spell the visitors'-kept their op ponents on the defensive, and after Blake had almost given Finlayson at try by means of an excellent cross-kick, the Black backs, as a result of some good passing, sent Elvy across for the second try.

With the wind behind them the visitors gave the Blues a hard time,. and as the latter's backs, with the excep tion of Ross, crumpled under the strain, the score mounted rapidly. For oftside play by Greatorex a free kick was given, and Dickson kieked an easy goai, making the scores 9 to 3-. The next score was the tit-bit; of the game. Elvy took a pass outside t'«e half-way line, and running as straight as a gun barrel, badly beat Cr.ossman and Ross, and scored a very flue try close to the corner flag. Still keeping up the pressure, Wise made a strong, dodgy run, and passed to Lomas, enabling the forward to score an easy try. The scores were now 15 to 3. , Blake next came into the picture, and running strongly . down the centre, passed to Johnson, who, after drawing the full-back, handed to Righton, and the latter finished a spectacular effort by scoring close to the posts. By this time the Blacks were showing really good combination, and soon after Wise reached the full-back with five forwards in close attendance. Ross had- a hope less task in front of him, and Wise settled his chance's by a clever.. sidestep, and ran^oyer at the posts. This time Dickson was successful, with tli'e very easy kick, and the score read 23 to 3.

The .home forwards had now hardly a push left in them, and the Blacks were getting the ball from the few scrums that occurred. Wright secured, from a clean heel but, and sent Johnson oft, who beat a mail, and handed to Matsou. The latter ran strongly, and finally handed to Wise, who had an unopposed' run for his second and the final try. The attempts at goal-kicking were n.ctremely crude, and some of them brought roars of laughter from the crowd, which, by the way, was a very sporting one,' arid loudly appreciated the winners' fine play.

A Good All-round Pack. The Black forwards played a very fine game,, and it was mainly oduo to their clever work that the home team was not able to score more often when it had the help of the wind. ■ It is true that they were not so successful as their opponents in- getting possession in the scrums, but in all-round play, including the line-outs, they were much superior. Finlayscm was probably the best forward of the two sides, while Kirkpatriek, Loraas, and Eighton were not far behind him. The first-men tioned was very effective at taking the ball from the Blues' high kicks, and was in the thick of every rush. Generally speaking, the whole pack' was quite up to the form of the best forward divisions of the past. As rover, Donald. was brilliant. . He kept well away from the edge of the scrum, and in the general play seemed to be everywhere. He fielded the ball very safely, and was always at hand to help the backs without getting in their way. He was not once penalised for offside play, and a few such displays as his would soon silence the outcry against the wing-forward.

Backs Sound and at Times Brilliant. The back division was very sounl, and at times brilliant. Harris, at ful\ was very safe, his taking of the ball being uniformly sure. Elvy, on the left-wing, played with great dash, and with ordinary luck will certainly take his place, with the giants of the past Wise, though handicg.ppc'd by a kick on the leg, was quite up to Elvy's standard, and his effective side-step should bring him a goodly crop of tries. Blake, at centre, gave of his best, which is all that need be said. Hw wings will not have to complain of Jack of ball. Johnson a nd "Matson were sound and resourceful, and made some fine openings. Wright gave his backs plenty of the ball, but might with advantage have gone on his own a bit more. On one of the few occasions that he did so, the equalising try in the'first spell was gained. The home forwards played well as long as their condition lasted, but the backs were extremely weak, except Boss at full, who gave an excellent display. The three quarters passed straight across the field, and seldom or never attempted to beat a man. The referee, Mr Irving, is to be heartily complimented on his control of tho game. He was quick in his decisions, and gave an excellent interpretation of the advantage' rule.

It is wor£i;y of note that the winning margin of "&A points is the highest put up by a New Zealand team in its first match in Sydney.