ALL BLACKS’ TOUR

Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1928, Page 2

ALL BLACKS’ TOUR

OPENING GAME WON. AGAINST WESTERN PROVINCES. (Special to Press Association). (Receivod this day at 8.50 a.m.) CAPETOWN, May 30. The New Zealanders began their tour with a match on Newlands Ground against Western Province Clubs, and won by 11 to 3. Their opponents were not supposed to he one of the strong sides in South Africa, hut. they put up a good resistance to very nearly the strongest team the All Blacks can field. M. Brownlie was unable to play, having damaged his ankle while training, hut will turn out on Saturday. His brother took his place. Enormous interest taken in the visit of the New Zealanders was shown by the fact that there was an attendance of twenty thousand. The ground was in excellent condition, weather perfect, and the conditions could not have been better for the All Blacks’ debut. The form shown hv the visitors on the whole was good, especially by the forwards wlm played a great game. The hacks, however, were a little uncertain in handling the bull and consequently their movements had not that finish which is expected from crack players. v There were a few minutes of ragged play after the start and then from a line-out Nicholls made a clever opening, the hall passing to Finlayson and Lucas and then finally to Robilliard, wlm swerved his way down the sideline and finished up by scoring behind tho posts. Nicholls had no difficulty in converting. s—o.

Upon resuming the New Zealand hacks carved their way several times through the defence, hut had handling at a critical moment spoilt no less than three likely chances of scoring. A series of scrums were tho next feature of the game and it was suiprising to see New Zealand forwaids beaten for the hall in most of them. This gave an opportunity to the African backs to set up attacking movements, hut they were easily broken up. Several penalties were given against tbo Provinces, hut all the kicks except a fine one l>y Nicholls, who put in five kicks, were unsuccessful, and the first spell ended B—o.8 —0. The Provinces started the second half with lightning attacks of brilliant passing, which gave the visitors not a little trouble. In one of these bouts seven men handled the hall and Van Dei Merwe flew across at the corner. 3he kick at goal failed.— Provinces 3: New Zealand 8.

New Zealand forwards then took a hand and gave a specimen of their real quality. Led by Finlayson and Cyril Brownlie, they started a succession of telling thrusts in which their weight and speed smashed the defence, which almost wilted under the terrific pressure. Brownlie forced his way over only to have the try disallowed, hut the New Zealanders stormed the line again. Robilliard got the ball from a rush and raced across the field, a move which appeared to upset the Provinces' defence. Finlayson ' took the ball and passing to Swain, the latter scored near til© corner. Nicholls -kick missed and the game thus ended— NEW ZEALAND H PROVINCES 3

NEXT MATCH. June 2. v. Combined Capetown Club at Capetown.