RUGBY FOOTBALL IMPRESSIVE FINAL TRIAL FOR ALL BLACKS

Grey River Argus, 20 September 1948, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL IMPRESSIVE FINAL TRIAL FOR ALL BLACKS

Makings of Great Side Shown

HALVES ALONE DOUBTFUL PA WELLINGTON, Sept. 19. 'New Zealand’s most comprehensive series of P-Ugby trials in search of talent for the '1949 tour of South Africa concluded at Athletic Park on Saturday under good conditions, before a crowd of 2'5,000. The general verdict was that the forty-two finalists revealed, with but few exceptions, that Rugby in this country is of as good a standard as ever, with prospect of the touring side moulding into a great one. Probably no aspect of the game was more heartening that the pace of the backs, and the fact that some players with hitherto little-known reputations rose to the occasion. Notable among these were Black (Auckland), Gudsell (Wanganui, Henderson (Wanganui winger), Skinner and Wilson (Otago front-row forwards), and Henderson (a tall Wairarapa forward). The White team won by 28 to 19. The actual result was of little consequence. The pattern and its execution were everything. This could be described as eminently satisfactory, and much superior to the final trial for the selection of the All Black team to tour Australia last year. That game, played early in the season, was disappointing through too many movements breaking down, and passes being dropped. Only seven out of forty-two passing movements, from all sources, reached the wings on that occasion.'Nevertheless that side provided some excellent football in Australia. In Saturday’s game, there were fifty-seven rushes from all _ sources, of which nine reached the wings, two

resulting in tries, and 12 reached the centres. In some of these M. P. Goddard made some thrilling penetrating runs, but he was inclined to crowd his wings. Henderson, the tall Wanganui flier, showed good tootball sense in veering infield when Goddard 'made these breaks. Twice he received in-passes, just failing to take one, and scoring a line try from trie second. Crisp handling and speed were seen in all of these rushes and also some grand tackling. Kearney and Black were ideal iirst five-eighths, and excelled in cover work. Henderson’s bottling up of Ar-p-us was a feature. By the manner in which the game was played there was lack of opportunity, which added to its value as a trial. No player could be said to have fallen down on the job, and only one, Delamore, was

played out of liis accustomed positlOOnly at the half-back could it be said that the standard was not up to expectations. None of the passing carried the crispness essential tor the success of a back movement, nor could it be said that, in general ability, those tried out measured up to such halves as Mills, Dally, Kilby or Sadler. Conrad (Waikato) made some clever breaks upfield, and showed a ctuick eye for an opening, but it was'Savage (Canterbury) who played against the wind in the second spell, and who swept out some of the best passes. Conrad has a line

physique, and may develop on a tour. Woodhouse was on the field lor both spells. His passes did not measure up to his performance in the final ChustCI At C full-back, Scott contented himself with being solid and orthodox. He played in one spell only against the wind, and the crowd saw little of his great line-kicking powers. Goddard (South Canterbury) had a belter day than Sherlock (Wanganui), who replaced Scott, if a second full-back is to be taken tour, Goddard looks like being a candidate. His form was much better than in the trial at Christchurch, and rem-

stated him in favour. . Henderson (Wanganui), Meates (Otago) had the best chances of the wingers, and both impressed im menseiy bv their speed and resource. In this respect, the outlook is most encouraging. Argus had few opportunities, and was well bottled up by Henderson, but his qualities have already been clearly established. Sweet and Boggs, both of Auckland, also had limited chances. Sweet needs room, but Boggs showed that he could beat an opponent even when crowded. , , M P. Goddard (South Canterbury), G. G. 11. Gilmour (Auckland), G. W. Delamore (Wellington), filled the centre positions. Goddard is a brilliant footballer, with vrobably as much pace as any other back. He repeatedly ran round both Gilmour and Delamore, but once through the gap he veered too much toward the touchline. His great pace enabled him to score without the assistance of hi» wing on one occasion when he intercepted a bad pass by Gudsell. He could make the play more for his support, however, Goddard would be fit to rank with the greatest centres produced in ■ this country. Gilmour h"d not fullv recovered from a pulledl muscle He made one very.fine break through, but showed indecision near the line. Delamore made one brilliant weaving run linking up with " S s /K“a^urrfry° nl &« a rno« undoubted high Q tack, but his defence was found want ing at times. „ „„„„

Of the five-eighths, Black, Kearney and Elvidge fulfilled all expectations. Black’s backing up was a feature oi

the game. , , . Gudsell (Wanganui) revealed great possibilities as an attacking P. l3^.® 1 - Kearney’s faultless football inside him gave him some chances which he turned to good effect several times, side-stepping past Allen, out thereafter he was inclined to run blindly, a fault which could be eliminated on a tour. Allen did not look the brilliant player he was in the 1946 trial, but he has given adequate evidence this season that he is still in the first flight. An interesting commentary on the half-back position is that the North

Island selectors hav2 preferred Bevan (Wellington) to Conrad for. the inter-island match. The play of the forwards does not call for any post-mortems. They were a capable fast moving bunch, and those' who are passed over in the final selection can only be described as unlucky. High honours must be accorded Henderson (Wairarapa) for a grand all round display; J. R. McNab (Otago) for his great rucking speed on to the ball in the loose and capable handling; R. A. Dalton (Otago) for a first-class display; K. Skinner (Otago) and M. McHugh (Auckland). Henderson, McNab and Skinner appear certain to be new wearers of the All Black jersey, and should make a worthy contribution to the New Zealand Rugby history. The taking of the ball in the lineouts was not always clean. Henderson was the best. Grant (South Canterbury) impressed with his high jumping. Crowley (Auckland) and Willocks (Otago) were also noticeable for good work. In the main, the forwards followed the Otago principle of putting the ball on the ground in the line-outs, and rucking. This led to some veryfine work, and demonstrated that New Zealand’s forwards are right

back to some of the best standard in this respect. Simpson (Auckland) was inclined to hook the ball down in some line-outs, but his. side did not necessarily gain possession. It might be for this reason that Johnstone, the Auckland lock, who was a front-row forward in the Kiwi team, was preferred to Simpston in the North Island team. Johnstone excelled in the line-outs in the Palmerston North trial. . In the scrums Catley (Waikato) beat Wilson (Otago) in the first spell, winning the ball on seven occasions to four. Both were inclined to be ovei’ eager and incurred frequent penalties. In the second spell McHugh Auckland) had a slight advantage over Mcßae (Southland).

Marlborough’s Jubilee Success

P.A. BLENHEIM, Sept. 19 The sixtieth anniversary of rugby football in Marlborough as celebrated on Saturday when a full day of football, starting with primary schools in the morning finished with a representative match between a strong Canterbury fifteen and Marlborough. The game, which was oe of the best of the season, ended in a win for Marlborough. The game, which was one of the best of the season ended in a win for Marlborough by 14 to 10. At half-time Marlborough led 3-0 and increased this to 11-0. Canterbury then scored a converted try, to which Marlborough replied with an unconverted try. The home side held this 14 to 5 advantage until close to time, when Canterbury scored another conVe For\Sn>orough Smith scored a try and kicked two penalties, and Moran scored a try. Maule converted one tr For Canterbury the scorers, were Richards and Davidson, both tries being converted by Richards. The iubilee celebrations . concluded with a' dinner in the evening, when many congratulatory messages were received. -