THE ALL BLACKS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 June 1925, Page 3

THE ALL BLACKS.

XEAV SOUTH AYALES BEATEN. BY 2d TO ,‘i. [Australia Sc N.Z. Cable Association.! SYDNEY, June It. Fifteen thousand witnessed the first test match between the All Blacks and Now South AYales. The weather was dull and threatening, and the ground was oil the soft side as the result of recent rains. Bryant replaced Ford in ■ the New South Wales team,. In the first half New South Wales had the advantage of the wind, and they made good use of it. hut all their efforts to kick goals failed. The play was mostly in the All Black's territory during the first half, hut they managed to keep the home loam out. The All Blacks proved a fast, nippy set of players, who, with practice, will improve considerably. Their combination was good, but their passing rushes were apt to break down on account of over keenness.

New South AA'ales were much superior in this respect. The handling ol the ball by both sides was not of tin best, but there were some notable exceptions. The game was a splendid exhibition of wing play.

Elvey was easily the best, back ut the ground, with Blake and Wise prominent.

New South Wales were the heavier in the serum and obtained the ball more than their opponents, and they were also superior in tlm line outs. T he line-kicking was also a feature of tile play. Boss, the New South Wales full hack, played an excellent game, his long line kicks, especially in the second half, frequently saving bis side from trouble. At half-time the score was —3. This gives a fair indication of the merits oi' the teams, hut- in the latter part of the second half New South Wtiles went to pieces and New Zealand had tilings their own way. New South AA'ales commenced to attack from the outset. Bowers took the ball down tin' line, but Bighion marked. and relieved the pressure. The attack. was, however, maintained. Harris marked on the line. Then play shifted back to half-way, but a long line kick by Moss again brought the New Zealand line into danger. Matson smartly intercepted a pass, and a certain score by the blue packs was spoiled by a knock-on. The All Blacks were several times penalised in their own territory, but New South Wales, like the New Zealanders lacked good goal kickers, all the attempts going wide. Bowers retired aider twenty minutes. He was replaced by .Milligan. Grentore x knocked on near the All Black line. From lie- reselling serum the same player pushed his way over, but Grossman failed to convert. New South AYales 3 New Zealand 0.

A few minutes later. AY right started his backs going, and in a scramble in the corner Kirkpatrick crossed in score, but Dickson's kick fell short. All Blacks 3 —New South AYales 3. The New Zealanders continued to attack, an,! .Johnson was I'orroct out close to the New South Wales line. Faulty handling by tin- All Black backs raised the I,opes of the X.S.W. supporters. lint the New Zealand forwards retrieved the position. Greatorex, who was the most prominent among the New South AYales forwards, commenced a lively movement, but bis pass was intercepted and the danger was averted. Tho Blues continued ty attack in the second half, but an All Black pa-sin ; movement saw Wise pulled down at the X.S.W. twentylive. After this, except for sporadic ru.-lies. the game remained in the Blues half. A New Zealand forward rush took the ball to the. line, where a scrum from a knock-on favoured New South Wales, the hull being sent into touch. Offside play by the All Blacks spoiled a promising piece of play. The ban went to Grossman, who made a speedy run past half-way and Wise, in diving to collar him. succeeded. Inn was temporarily laid out. A brilliant back passing rush from a line out resulted in Elvey getting over at the corner. Harris’ kick failed.

Hlvey again made a great dash down the line, bm lie was pushed out.. Wright, behind the scrum, was responsible for lunch good work, setting bis backs moving well. From a piece of offside play by Grentorex. Dickson bad a kick al goal, bid the ball bit the post and bounced over the line. Kicking by Moss enabled the Blues to invade tin- New Zealand ball, bill the Blacks were equal to the occasion, and play went back to the Blues’ line, where Humphreys picked the ball out of the scrum. Harris's kick fell just outside Ihe post. Wise, from half-way. made a good run down the line, but Rainbow intercepted bis pass, and kicked the ball, which came into Kiev's bands, lie distinguished himself by a great run. crossing at the corner. Johnson's kick failed.

The New South Wales' backs were tillable to profit by their forwards’ elforts, and in the last ten minutes the whole side seemed to lose heart. Now Zealand being* allowed to score thrice in quick succession. First M’ise made a dash down the line, and then passed to Lomas, who crossed. then clever work bv Blake saw Righton over, and Wise was again prominent in taking the ball in front of the posts, cutting in, and scoring. Dickson converted the latter try. The other kicks failed. Just one time. Wise again got over at the corner. Johnson's kick was unsuccessful and the game ended:—New Zealand do Now South M’ales ...' ... 3