BETTER FORM BUT STILL NOT AT BEST

Chronicle (Levin), 11 June 1947, Page 7

BETTER FORM BUT STILL NOT AT BEST

Received Tuesday, lu. 50 p.m. SYDNEY, June 10. The All Blacks showed better form than in the niatch against New South Wales last Saturday but still are not at their best. Seventeen points are too inany to give away against a team lilce the one niet today. The All Blacks' defenee needs tightening. Present weaknesses are partly attributable to the forwards' failure to baclc up the backs quickly and consistently. This in turn arises from the forwards being not yet at the peak of fitness. In this respect today 's pack was better than the one which played on Saturday but improvement is still needed for the Test next Saturday. It looks as if the All Blacks will probably reach the peak of form just after the first Test. Today 's inside back play was mucn sharper than on Saturday. Bevan, despite the handicap of a-boil an the neek,was plftying a neat and steady game and Conch was giving passing movements a flying start by his speed off the mark. Couch also varied his game niceiv, exploiting a neat stab kick when unable to penetrate, one of these leadLng to a try. Smith made the opening for the first try and constantly sought to pierce-the defenee but was uncertain in handling as also was Goddard. Goddard again showed impressive speed in attack when allowed room to move. McLean raeed half the length of tne field for two spectacular tries, but on neither occasion did he have to do anything but run. Argus was more impressive though he had fewer opportunities. His try was a gem. From a scrum on the sideline he moved into the five-eighth posi rron -as the ball came out and took a pass. Going at top speed through the defenee in a diagonal run, he fended off one tackler, evaded two others and seored by the posts. Half h gale probably accounted for some of the niisdirected and dropped passes, a high number of- which contributed to the general scrappiness ot the game. The New South Wales XV had a heavy, strong pack, Stenmark, Kraefft, ^ Shehadie and Dennett, all six-footers, hav'ing played for New South Wales this season, wliile the front row mcluded Furness (hodker last .Saturday), Turnbull (Australian representative in 193S and 1939), and Davis (the Victorian Vho narrowlv missed selection for the first Test). It is eertain that although some of these for.wards cannot get into the New South Wales XV at present, they will be chosen in the Australian team for Britain. The All Blacks' forwards thus had a hea.V/V" day afid came out of it with more crecTit than on Saturday. There was more fitness and vigour in their work and jffwas apparent that they are working up to top form. Thornton, White and Arnold were very active, the last named backing up in traditional All Blaek style to be in position for the first try. Willocks worked hard in the tight as did Connolly ' who, however, needs a game or twd more to reach top condition. Simpson, handicapped by a knoek on the ankle, nevertheless played a bustling game. , The New Zealan^ forwards were better today than on Saturday at getting round the scrums " and among the opposing inside backs. Cawsey, wlio may be second half for the tour of Britain, was several times caught in possession which hardly ever happened to Burke last Saturday. Matehed for height in the lineouts the All Blacks by no means dominated this phase of play although their wrork showed evidence of careful coaching and increasing effectiveness. The All Blacks l'earnt a lesson to 'be on constant watch for a quick throwin, from the first try by New South Wales. The home wing, forced into touch by the flag, simply stood up, to^sed the ball straight in to one of the forwards who was backing him up, and he only had to fall over the line for a try. This inove is frcquently workcd in Australia and it is just as well the All Blacks got to know it before the Tests. Webster, caught out of position anu in possession once or t-wice, nevertlie*

less made, a satisfactory debut. His goal kicking was excellent, yieiding four conversions and a penalty goal. He showed good judgment in aliowing for 'the wind in his kicks at goal. Goal kicking appears to be the only department in which New Zealand is eertain to have an advantage over Australia in the Tests. So many matches here are played on sunny cairn days that the home players are inexperienced in goal kicking. in winds or with a heavy ball. The All Blacks seem lilcely to be able to match the Australians for speed m the backs although earlidr. in the seasoh the Australians, judging on their experience in New Zealand last. season, expected they would be much faster. Epectacular speed was shown today, for instance in try scoring runs by Goddard, McLean and Argus, all of which were brilliant individual eft'orts. The main threat to New -Zealand is by the big, fast and fit Australian forwards all of whom are right at the peak oi form and fitness. Allen had a jog tro't at practiee today. He will fly to Brisbane tomorrow for treatment to his leg injury and hopes to be able to play in the Test. it0 is somewhat doubtful if Sniith's knee will allow him to play at centre for the Test. Hobbs also is unlikely to be fit for the Test.