ALL BLACKS’ TOUR

Hokitika Guardian, 21 August 1928, Page 2

ALL BLACKS’ TOUR

WHY SPRINGBOKS WON. PACK TOO STRONG. (Special to Press Association). OUDTSHORN, Aug. 20. Writing in the “Johannesburg Star,” Mr H. B. Keartlaml, the Rugby critic, says:—

“As anticipated, the All Blacks relied on ‘safety first’ tactics, depending on their defence to keep the Springboks out, and for their opponents’ mistakes to provide chances which, it was hoped, would lead to victory. They under-estimated the powers of the redoubtable Springliok pack, which outstayed the All Blacks’ vanguard in one of the most gruelling battles of forwards played in this country, which is one of the homes of forward play. It was a memorable game, however, in which the Springboks did not take full advantage of the chnnc-es provided by their forwards, and in which the AH Blacks did not fully turn to account the mistakes of their opponents but it was a thrilling game, which left regrets that only one .side could win.” HAZLETT THE BEST FORWARD. Mr 11. bup Steytler, writing in “Dies Burger,” said: “New Zealand certainly played their best game in ilie third test, their forwards specially standing up to the gruelling task of keeping eight hard-shoving Springboks at hay. The visitors’ hacks, however, apart from defence, never impressed. They lacked a guiding genius to turn their efforts into good account, and it was really only Grenside who rose to any heights on attack. The inside players seemed impotent, and their general display lacked the necessary thrust to break the Springbok’s defence. Hazlett was the best forward on the field. A hard player, full of dash and spirit, he made the fullest use of every- opportunity that came his way, and in every passing or dribbling advance of the All Blacks, he lent a helping hand. The game was, however, won forward. The Springbok pack, in the closing stages, completely mastered their opponents, heating them in both the scrums a.id the line-outs. A lot o* credit must go to rhil Mostert and his men. From start to finish they struggled in homeric fashion, and never for one second did they flinch.

COMMENT ON THE TEST. A VERY FINE GAME.

.Received this day at 8.30 a.in.) OUDSHOORX, Aug. 20

F. M. Howard in the “Cape Times” savs the Port Elizabeth test provided easily the best game of the series so far. There was litfle in it between the two sides hut. what slight supeiiority there was lay with South Africa. The home country opened in great style, although there was an clement of luck about their first try but the points were well deserved. On the run of the play by half time, it had become anybody’s game with the odds slightly in favour of New Zealand, as the Springboks forwards appeared to ho faltering just before the interval.

In the end it was the All Black forwards who wore worn down, though they never gave in. I lie last quarter of ail hour saw South Africa definitely on top. For all that, the play never became one sided. Indeed the All Blacks continued to ho very dangerous from breaks away and counter attacks. hut in scrums they were by then well beaten.

Osier, if less in the limelight than at Durban, played a masterly game all through. He nursed his forwards beautifully at critical moments.

Generally speaking the New Zealanders were clearly superior on the wings, hut inferior in the centre. The Springbok full-back also played a sounder game than Lindsay, hut it was the home forwards who once again really won the game. Three of the five tries were scored hv forwards, in purely forward eflorts, two for Africa and one for New Zealand. The other New Zealand try was i.he work of two men "Dailey and Greuside. The other African try was the only one to come from a combined passing attack by the whole hack line. Even that originated front a forward picking up in the loose and throwing back a long pass. The result has left New Zealand with a fine sporting chance of equalising the matter at Newlands in the last test, which should again provide a great game.