AUSTRALIANS TROUNCED

Chronicle (Levin), 26 September 1946, Page 8

AUSTRALIANS TROUNCED

-Press AsSDciation

OUTPLAYED BY MAORIS

Bv Teleciravh—

HAMILTON, Bept. 25. Outpl'ayed in every departmeut of Ihe game, Australia weie soundly trounced liy the Maoris at Rugby Park, Hamilton, today when, after the Maoris led six-nil at half-time, they were deiinitely on top throughout the latter half to register a clear cut victory by 20 points to nil. Following heavy overnight rain, playing conditions were surprisingly good though they deteriorat&l somewhat in the Second half following a heavy shower of rain which tended to malce the ball greasy. The handling of the Australians was consistently faulty and it was this and the Maoris' ability to capitalise on the visitors' mistakes, that gave tlie All Blacks their superiority. The visitors gained possession from tlie majority of the scrums but the backs could liot make use of their opportunities. The star of the Maori side was un((uestionably Paewai, while Kawe played a safe game at full-baek. Among the other backs, P. SmitiL and Proctor shone. Australia secured from the first scrum, but a faulty pass broke the movemeut down and the Maoris swarmed to tlie attack to hohl an early territorial advantage, pressing tlie visitors ou the twentyfive. The Maoris kept up the attack and several briglit back inovements were frustrated only through solid tackling. Paewai twice opened up briglit inovements but the pass to Carrington was spoilt by the latter. Paewai, however, soon opened the score. When gaining possession from the scrum five yards out, he worked round the scrum to dummy his way across. The wind toolc the kick outside the posts. Maoris 3, Australia 0. Froctor turned the Australian attack when he intereepted to send the ball out to Isaacs, who was grassed and Gardiner was penalised when a score ap[ieared immiuent. Up to this stage, Vustralia Avas getting possession of the majority of the scrums. Paewai electrilied the crowd wheu he endeavoured to go'aloue only to be forced out near the '•orner flag. The visitors broke through in a sparkling movement a little later and Stone, Johnson and Allen liandled, the latter failing to hold the pass. The scene changed m a flash, however, when Sniith snapped up from loose play, and with Gardiner in support, took j)lay to the visitors' twentyfive. An infringement right under the visitors' goal gave Isaacs the opportnnity of a successful kick, putting the Maoris six points ahead after nearly half an hour's play. The visitors' full-baek, Piper, kicked up a difficult one in front of the charging Maori forwards, to stop a determined forward attack, but Stone, a little later, was not so fortunate when he was eaught in possession. Australia clear ed with a good liae lcic'k and play shifted to the All Blaek twentyfive. Australia was ou the attack at half-time with the score Maoris 6, Australia nil. The Maoris were awarded a penalty as the second spell commenced, but Isaae's kick was short. Isaacs narrovvly missed with another penalty a minute later. The All Blacks were d§(initely playing on top of tlieir opponents and they kept up the pressure for Marriner to cap olf a movemeut in which four plavers liandled. Isaacs converted. Maoris 11 — 0. Keeping up the pressure the Maoris hemmed the visitors to their twentyfive and Delamere narroivly missed forcing the ball when, the Australians endeavoured to clear with a speeulator. Rain had now made the ball greasy and the visitors ' handling did not improve. They forced their way to the All Blaek twentyfive, how-ever, but the advantage was short lived, as Sniith and Carrington took it on their toe into the visitors' territory. Play seesawed for a opell and from a penalty, Australia failed with a difficult kick. The visiting back line opened a Jiright attacking movement, but the hard tackling of the Maoris frustrated what appeared a likely movement. Paewai, a trojan for work on defence -ind attack, repeatedly earned applause for his sterling work. Marriner and Delamere took the ball to the visitors' line in the next likely movement. The Australian defence was sorely- tested and the" Maoris went further ahead as Gardiner shortpunted for the line and followTed up to fall 011 the ball in the corner. The kick failed. Maoris 14 — 0. They crossed the visitors' line immediately on resumption,~ on-ly the- ball went behind the dead ball line. Paewai sent to Proctor and Gardiner sent it out to Smith to cross in the corner a minute later, to make the score .17 — 0., The Maoris' next points came wdien Proctor was associated with Smith, the latter going over on the call of time to make tlie final score, Maoris 20, Australia 0.