THE ALL BLACKS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 June 1925, Page 1

THE ALL BLACKS.

BEATEN BY NEW SOUTH WALES. [Australia A X.Z. Cable Association. | SYDNEY. June 17. New Smith Wales with 18 points, beat New Zealand IG. The All Blacks made their second appearance in Sydney this afternoon against a team chosen from the Aletropoliian hud Country districts, in the presence of two thousand five hundred spectators. The result- came as a general surprise. The ground was soft with a big puddle in the centre. 1 lie ball was greasy, which prevented ar-e-urate handling.

The game throughout was very evewith the advantage in the second spell with the home side. Although New Zealand did not make such a good showing, it was a much more interesting game than on Saturday. Shaw replaced Fox in the New South Wales team. The New Zealanders played as cabled.

The New Zealanders' serum workshowed a considerable improvement, compared with Saturday, and thc> gained the ball frequently. Tin- lineout play also was much better. New South Wales drew first blond a few minutes after tlie opening, Reid diving over, and Crossman converted. I,i-mas, Kirkpatrick and Einlavson were prominent in dribbling rushes, which gained nruch ground and kept New South Wales on the defensive for the greater part of the spelt.

The New South AVnles team were incomparably stronger than Saturday s side. Thorn again was a tower id strength, and was ably supported by Boss. Reid and Aforrissey, who shone especially in the second half. ’Hie New Zealanders showed better combination than the Welshmen and some brilliant passing movements 'were witnessed. New Zealand's tries in the first half were due mainly to forward work. Findlnyson secured the hall at-half-way and passed to Dickson at t'r 25. The hitter pushed his way over.

Then Walter* crossed. The same player started a movement which resulted in Flvoy scoring at the corner. Johnson converted two of these tries, and the score at half time was-X.Z. 13. X.S.W. 5.

New South Wales had the better of the- second half. 3he All Blacks were heir, ily pressed, and towards the end they seemed to get tlieir tails down. On opening. New Zealand were compelled In force. A few minutes after F/lvey strained the ligaments of one of his feet.

He. was replaced by Matson. Thorn made several individual dashes. but be was not supported. New South Wales forwards were inclined to speculate and kick hard, instead of dribbling and several promising movements were spoiled by trying to pick up tbe ball when it could have been dribbled over. Tbe All Blacks were continually on tbe defensive. From a passing rush which commenced at, half way. Beid dived over and Grossman converted. Then the Blue forwards ran over the All Blacks, and a few minutes later New Zealand had to force. Then Barber secured from the ruck, and after the hall had passed through several players' hand-. Grossman scored, wide out, and failed to convert his own try. New South AVnles attacked again, and paid ducked over under the posts. Grossman added the major points. New Zealand bucked up a. little after this, although they were still kept- defending their line. Play was transferred occasionally to the Blue’s halt, only to quickly return. The N.B.AV. hacks were indulging in short kicks, just over the All Blacks’ heads, and quick following ii]) put them in a good position. Harris was playing very soundly, and was called on continuously io save his side. Aforrisev. who is a big man. used his weight to advantage, and lie played cleverly. Just on time Donald broke through, and Findlnyson finished off a nice movement by scoring at the corner. Johnston’s -kick failed, and the game ended: New South AVnles 13: New Zealand 10.