THE ALL BLACKS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 November 1924, Page 1

THE ALL BLACKS.

LONDON COUNTIES DEFEATED 15V 31 TO 0. IUfIXItALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION LONDON, Novcmher ].j. After their nairow victory against Cambridge University, the All Blacks in their next match showed a wonderful return to form, and went even further, in ’-defeating rim London Counties' strong team, v,liich included several international playeis, by -‘sl prints to (!, the tourists gave their most exln’lii ating display and the best exposition of the Rugby code winch they have so far afforded at Home. The back divsion especially was obviously superior to its opponents in liuesse, in variety of attack, and in defence. The London line was quite overshadowed. The forwards of the All Hindis, too. were biilliant, and outstandingly useful were M. Rrowulie, Richardson, White, Stewart and Irvine, Spectacular play there was in plenty. Mill frequently setting his whole hack line in motion to carry out beautiful and well-executc.l rushes that passed the most sliihharn defence which" the home leant could offer. Every man in the All Blacks’ rearguard showed that (bp versatality was individual, as well as in combination. The New Zealand team was a strong one. comprising the following:

Ncpia, Hart. Cooke, Svcnson, AFc(lregor, Nicholls, Mill. Parker. Irvine. Donald, Richardson. .Masters, M. Brownlie, Stewart mill White. On this occasion the weather was line, though dull and the turf was soft and easy. These were conditions which apparently suited the visitors admirably. Forty thousand people attended the match, which was the first one to he played at Twickenham. Early in the game the London team showed out in a strong attack, their forwards making headway with fast dribbling rushes. The New Zealanders retaliated witli some effective hack play, but the I,ondon County team soon got within striking distance again, and it was only by a narrow margin that It it hardson (London') missed scoring with a drop kick, which he slightly misjudged. Nepia relieved the position, and with play transferred to London territory, the All Blacks sorely tried the home team’s defence. Then Hart: cleverly marked near the corner from a centring kick, and initiated an attack, in which M. Brownlie dashed over by sheer pare and weight. Nicholls converted. Ihe first, score was not gained until the game had progressed for twenty minutes. New- Zealand •’ Loudon 1m out the kick-off. Law toil, the Queenslander, started a fine passing licit for London, which finished in Miller crossing at the- corner, hut Toy tailed to con vet t. New Zealand •’ London • ■'

Nut long afterwards. Wakefield | irkcl up in the loose, and passed to his 11, ipiarlers. the movement endin'.' with Miller scoring again, which pul London ahead b.v means of a line pieie ~| Work. Ilis try was nm unvo ted. London 11 New Zealand •' This was only the second occasion on which ihe visitors have been led. tin- oilier time being in the game .Igaicsi Newport: but in Ibis Inter |,.,0| was mil licbl Inn-', a. the New Zealand";.-, by bard Inr.vurd play, tinusfc! red action id Loudon's territory, where M. Brownlie again crossed under the pests. Nicholls easily converting. New Zealand ••• -° London ’ There was no further seme hy half lime, hid momentarily the superiority of the New Zealanders’ combination was In-coming more and more np] :irent. Their backs were playing with |,caulifnl precision, though their lorwarc!s were si ill J'liced hy a vigorous resistance in the serums and in the

Alter the interval. Parker played as right wing three-quarter. ini] roving millers materially by debating the Londoners’ cll'm-ls to score with their Ih-el hacks. The visitors' scoring commenced almost limmciliatcly. Parker cross kicking to the ceutie. ( ookc secured. and transferred to Sveu-mi. who finally passe.l back In < ""k>-. and al'ler tin- finest | iece el' combined work, the last Aucklanders "led. ll "as flic , f the nmb h. Ni. la.lls failed with the kick. New Zealand Li London ” RirhariLoii (the All Bhoki then fiold.-d near Ihe line, and passing inwards. Parker scored, after Brownlie. Mi Gregor and Sveuson had all handled tin- lull. Nicholls again failed with the ki< k. New Zealand D’ London ' Tlic next fry was Richardson’s, as the result of excellent opening work hv Mill. McGregor and Nicholls. Nicholls converted. New Zealand -1 London

The tourists were now in charge ,-f the game, and it was only a mailer of how many points tkoy would win bv. London, however, did not l"t up. but the visitors’ vastly improved style of play was 100 cllective lor the home Lea in. Taking a Hying pass at t, ; p speed. Nicholls cut through and ran almost to the line before letting Cooke in to finish up uniicr the no-ls. Nicholls gnu I oil.

New Zealand ‘-G London From a weak kick liy Lawton. I a ker refilled, and irom half wav he starteil a run which lie finished under tile posts for Nicholls to convert. New Zealand 3! London

Thc-rc was no further score, and the game in which dmighttul form was shown by the All Blacks, ended in a win for New Zealand hy 31 l'oints to G.

LONDON CRITICS. LONDON. November 11

The newspapers have been keenly discussing the New Zealanders' first

“auie in London to-morrow, igainst the combined Londoners’ team. The critics express the opinion that the homo side will beat the visitors in the scrums but the tackling and speed of the visitors will he counter-balancing factors. The indications point to a soaked ground, whereon critics would not he surprised to see the visitors Witten, after their close escape at Cambridge.

results to date. Following are the results to date (with scores of 1005 team for purposes of comparison) and matches to he played hy the All Blacks:

1021. 1905. v. Devon 11-0 55—1 v. Cornwall ••• ‘29—o ‘ll—o v. Somerset ... s—o 23—0 v. Gloucester ... o—o 41—0 v. Swansea ... 39—3 4—3

v. rister ••• 28—0 - v Xortlmmberlaml 27—4 31—0 v. Cantbnd"o 1 uv. .>—o 11 0 v London Counties 31—0 - COMING MATCHES. Xov. 20-v Oxford University (47—0) \ov. 22—v. Cardilf (10 —8). Xov. 29—v. Wales (o—3). December 2.—v. Llanelly.

V. Nowrort Id—ID 0-3 V. Loir-ester 27— D 28-0 V. North Midlands ■10—3 21-5 V. Cheshire 18-o 34 — 0 V. Pur ham 13—7 1G—3 V. Yorkshire 12—1 •10—0 V. Lancashire 23-0 — V. Ounihorlniul -11-0 — V. Ireland 0-0 15-0