SPRINGBOKS GO DOWN

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 132, 21 June 1937, Page 2

SPRINGBOKS GO DOWN

11-Point Margin for New South Wales NEL MAKES NO EXCUSES SYDNEY, June 19. On a field comparable with that on wMcfi the deciding test between the Spriuglioks and All Blacks was played in 1921, the South African tactics failed against New South Wales belore a crowd of uuder 8000 spectators, most of whom were members, and the Springboks were beaten by New South Wales by 17 points to six. It was a most disappointing Springboks' debut in Sydney, and five tries to one represented their deficit and their strength undsr the day's conditions. The rain poured throughout th© match and the ground in paris was angle-deep in slush. Tries were scored for New South Wales by Kelaher (2), O'Brien (2) and Towers, and Towers converted one try. For South Africa, Hofmeyer scored a try and Brand kicked a penalty goal. At half-time New South Wales had croSsed the line three times to be 11 — 6. The Springboks had kicked a penalty goal and they scored their try a ■ minute before the half-time belL It was really a fluke, due to Hofmeyer, following up when New South Walea • endeavoured to pass on the goal-line to relieve. In the second spell the Springbok ptick was without Watt, who was iajured, but he returned to the field aftet 20 minutes. Bester later retired, neceasitating a re-arrangement of their back line. After the game Nel said he desired to make no excuses for New South Wales had played the better football under the conditions. The Springboks' faults were fundamental. Their defence was woeful, and even Brand, the full-back, speculated iustead of going down on the ball when pressed. Van Der Vyver, Hofmeyer and Bester. were similarly guilty, but the paek was mostly to blame. A famous united heave of forwards, who were a stone-a-man heavier, was anticipated but it did nqt eventuate, and an analysis of each half showed that New South Wales were predominant. The line-outs definitely favoured New South Wales, who won 17 to 15. Twelve were "doubtful," but New South Wales made the most advantage from opportunities in the resultant loose rucks. The condition of the New South Wales players was not the. only factor in the Springboks' downfall. It was ! surprising to see the big South African j forwards beaten in the dribbling art, 1 refraining from jumping in the line- , outs and indulging in round-the-neck i taek'les oii a day when' solidity was de- j manded. Boy Louw and Fanme Louw were j easily the best South African .forwards j on the day. | Lotz was a good ali-rounder apart ! from the fact that he is a specialist I hooker. 1 Van Reenen was handicapped by the i re-arrangement, but he is not as pacy as was anticipated. Watt, the flankman, impressed most I in the first spell in the rucks as well I as in the open play, which New South Wales demanded. • It is extremely doubtful if Nel will make the best Springbok pack. Oraven failed in defence, his long passes of the admittedly heavy ball enabled Hodgsou and Windon, the New South Wales' flankmen, to disturb Van Der Vyver and Richards, and Pauling often capitalised the chances. It would not be fair on the day to criticise Turner and ' Broolcryk, the wingers. They could not be blamed for the debacle. The match was a triumph for the Waratah captain, Johnny Wailace, who adopted the principle to keep the heavyweights moving. The following team has been Chosen to represent Australia in the test match against the Springboks next Saturday:— Full-back: Rankin. Three-quarters: Kelaher, Pauling, Towers (captain), Dorr. Halves: Richards, McShane. Forwards: Ramsay, Hodgson, Windon, Hutchinson, Wilson, Cerutti, Bonis, Bermingham.