Speed And Fitness Of N.Z. Side Gives Bright Prospects

Chronicle (Levin), 2 September 1949, Page 4

Speed And Fitness Of N.Z. Side Gives Bright Prospects

HOROWHENUA GOOD OPPOSITION IN TEST REHEARSAL .Four brjlliant tries and three conversions by J. Kelly were the highlight of the trial game at Levin yesterday afternoon between Horowhenua and the New Zealand team to play Australia in the first test tomorrow. The speed and fitness shown by the players makes them a formidabie side and gives bright prospects for the big game. They outplayed Horowhenua to win by 31 points (seven tries, five of them converted) to eight (two tries, one corfverted). Nevertheless, Horowhenua provided go«d opposition and were* particularly strong in the forwards. . It was the first occasion on which a New Zealand team has played at Levin. In consequence thq-fixture created unprecedented^interest and drew a record crowd. Altogether 2300 paid £270 for admission and there were 150 complimentary ad'missions. It was a good day for Horowhenua rugby.

Probably the best winger in the Dominion today, W. Argus. played a game in 'which fine judgment was ■ the . keynote - and by which he turned the attack from one side of the field to the other. Most of the; -play, however, swung to Keliy's wing and gave him more opportunities which he was quick to-capitalise. Though listed as a reserve Kelly took the field from the -start because of the absence through the illness of his wif e of J. McLean," the Auckland winger. The .. Otago full-baqk, G.j J. Moore, was not outstanding. 'His line-kicking had good length, but his defence was below' expectations. .... Powerful Centre. The "powerful and penetrating runs of J. B. Smith were a f eature of th'e game and he was in top fohn. "In the later stages he and Kelly developed a good working partnership, the results of which thrilled 'the crowd. R. Dobson, scored a fine try with a tricky side-step and a strong . fend" which took him through seven opponents. -He was obviously resting • - but gave glimpses of his capahilities. Though carrying too much condition B. Couch proved he could be dangerous at first five-eighths. His cover. defence was sound, but his passing at times was "erratic. ! From the- lineouts and the base of the scrum V. Bevan's passes were crisp and of good length and the backline had numerous opportunities in consequence. His elusiveness frequently had the ■opposition at sea and, outside of Kelly, he was the most prominent player on the field. Hey was replaced at half-time by J. McKenzie, whose display was shaded by that of Bevan. Disappointing Feature. " A disappointing feature of the forward play was that though the New Zealand team outclassed Horowhenua in the scrums they were beaten in the lineouts. This was due to the f ailure of the forwards to jumn for the hall. The forwards, however, were all very fit and showed plenty of dash with A. Blake, R. Stuart, R. White and R. Bryers always up with the cro

Fa§t and clean hooking by A. M. Hughes gave his hacks a big advantage. The scrum work and cover - defence of D. Carlton impressed. W. Mumm, H. Wilson and W. Lunn were not conspicuous, but toiled tirelessly in the tight.

Meritorious Opposition. Although most eyes were.on the New Zealand team the local fifteen put up a meritorious display. A feature of this was the way in which the forwards jumped for. the ball in the lineouts. In this department A. Woods and O. . King excelled. In the second spell particularly Horowhenua settled down to give the visitors more than they had bargained for. The backs were ready to take advantage of any opportunities offering, whlle the forwards threw everything they had into their play. Both sides scored two tries in this spell,' which in itself was a credit to the local men. Colin Mortimer played one of his best games this season and j remained cool in the face of I strong opposition. His line kicking and sure handling broke up many penetrating moves by the New Zealand team. Ross Smith was always dangerous on attack, although his defence was weak. Bill Galloway, who played well in the first half, was rqplaced at half-time by Mick Moynihan. Both these men showed up well against J. B. Smith, whose powerful fend. was hard to overcome. Moynihan, however, seemed more at honie on the wing, where he kept Argus well in hand. Bruce Lind rep'aced Moynihan on the wing at half-time and he proved once again his strong defensive qualities. Both the five-eighths were up bo expectations and while Brian Moynihan kept a close watch on" Couch, Wallis found gaps in Dobson's defence on several occasions. Both men tackled well and were always ready' to grasp opportunities when. they arose. At the base of the scrum Lloyd Robinson was at all times very sound. It would not be an exaggeration to say that at times he shaded McKenzie in this department. His long •passes. and intense backing up gave the local .backline a great advantage. This was very noticeable in the second spelL The tackling of this player . was the equal of anything seen yesterday. Forwards Went Well. ' The forwards all went well. Too much could not be said of the lineout work of Woods, the tall Shannon player. Owen King was a great help to Woods in the first

half and, when replaced by I. Doyle in the second spell, the work in the lineouts fell away. G. Milroy hooked well with the other f ront rankers, J. . Winterburn and Ian Robinson. G. Bryant and W. Lincoln were a constant menace on the side of the scrum. In this Bryant was, superior to Lincoln, who was inclined to he listless. At the back of the scrum Roy Robinson. maintained his recent form, although his cover defence is still a iittle slow. When A. Fletcher took the field in the latter stages he gave the visitors a taste of well-judged cover defence. In the loose play all the forwards hunted as a pack, led by Roy Robinson. Also noticeable in the open were Lincoln, Bryant, Milroy and Ian Robinson. In all the local team gave a display of which they can be justly proud. . The match had served a very good purpose, said one of the three selectors, .Mr. N. McKenzie, at the end of the game. Horowhenua had provided useful and enlerprising opposition, he added. * Seoring Movements. Couch engineered-New Zealand's first try for Dobson, which Kelly converted. Kelly scored and converted soon after. Then Argus, in a line-out, threw the ball over the heads of the forwards. It was smartly transferred to Kelly, who from his own twenty-five beat allcomers for a grand try. Smith converted, making the score 15-0. From a scrum Bevan sent a good pass straight to Dobson, who gave co Smith and he dived through. N.Z. 18, Horowhenua 0. R. Smith threatened New Zea- * land when he followed up a speculation kick but Moore cleared in uime. Just before half-time Kelly was again given a clear run to score a try which Smith converted. N.Z. 23, Horowhenua 0. Returning with more assurance, Horowhenua broke the New Zealand defence when Milroy scored after a scramble in which the defenders were rattled.

M. Moynihan scored Horowhenua's next try after J. B. Smith was held up and Kelly was upset „ by R. Smith. Wallace converted, making the score 23-8. A lightnmg passing rush ended with Kelly going over and converting the try himself. At this stage Argus limped off,-Carlson leaving the back row position for the wing, and Bryers returning to the field. Horowhenua was showing some life. Dobson came off, and was soon followed by Moore. For the last few minutes the Wairarapa Maori All Black forward Blake was at full-back. Nearing time Lunn got away in the loose and scored New Zealand's last try. Final score: New Zealand 31, Horowhenua 8. Crop Of Minor Injuries. There was a. crop of minor injuries among the New Zealand team, Argus suff-ered a knock to his left ankle, whiich ^was badly swollen, and it might keep him out of tomorrow's game. He ■ was to have it x-rayed today. Moore was hurt when he went down on the ball in the face of a Horowhenua forward rush. Dobson received a cut over the left eye, but after receiving first aid treatment he resumed his place in the team. The Curtain-Raiser. In the curtain-raiser Rongotai beat Horowhenua College by 11 points to six. D. Lang scored a try and kicked a penalty for Horowhenua and Rongotai's points came from a converted try and penalty kick by G. Harris and a trv bv Cunlifie. First-Class Arrangements. The arrangements for the match went smoothly and the Horowhenua Rugby Union is to be commended on the excellent way in which the game was controlled. During. half-time and prior to the match, the Levin Municipal Band entertained the crowd with seleccions. Its march from the bandroom to the grounds and round the oval before the commencement gained it much credit. During the game an official of the union, Mr. J. A. Zuppicich, / broadcast scorers' names and leaders of scoring movements through a loudspeaker. This was a good service. Last night the president of the Horowhenua union, Mr. R. L. Robinson, extended the thanks of-the union to all those who had helped to make the game a success, mentioning in particular the Mayor and the Levin Borough Council, the district traffic inspec.tor, Mr. W. Boyes, the police, Automobile Association officer, Mf. R. Keenan, St. John Ambulance ' Brigade, Legion of Frontiersmen and all others who had co-operated. ■ j