ALL BLACKS’ TOUR

Hokitika Guardian, 3 September 1928, Page 2

ALL BLACKS’ TOUR

THE FINAL TEST.

ALL BLACKS WIN. BY 13 TO 5. (Special to Press Association)

CAPETOWN, September 1. The New Zealand team crowned 1 their 1928 tour of South Africa by a magnicent win over the Springboks at the Old Newlands ground to-day, by thirteen points (comprising u potted goal, two penalty goals, and a. try) to live points (one converted try). It was the first time that South Africa had been beaten at the Newlands Ground for thirty-seven years. The match was played on a raindrenched area, and in bleak and bitterly cold weather, but notwithstanding these conditions a crowd of 25,000 people, in a happy frame Of mind, watched the game. After both the teams had given their cry, the Springboks kicked off against a slight wind. Taking the hull from the first kick, McWilliams slung it far across the field to Lucas, who heat a man, and sent (Ironside away, hut only to be pushed out near the 25 line. From the following scramble, Nieholls with a good kick, put New Zealand near the Springbok line. After Johnson had been caught with the ball in his possession, a penalty came to New Zealand, and Nieholls goaled from 25 yards out. New Zealand were thus three points up in the first three minutes.

Immediately the All Blacks hacks started to open out in passing rushes, hut a brilliant forward manoeuvre by the Springboks swept the play to the other end, where Johnson, in attempting to save, miskicked and thereby established his opponents on the New Zealand line. A series of intensely exciting scrums followed. At last the ball was shot out to Van Der Westluiizen, who potted, but missed the goal. A heavy shower then pelted down, and these squalls continued throughout the match. Hnzlett put New Zealand in a good position again ■ with touch kicks, hut Bennie Osier sent the eager All Black packhack with fine kicking. The roar of the crowd grew to crescendo when the Springbok backs got moving again. Osier got the ball, and he potted, the kick going wide. Finlayson, Hazlett and McWilliams headed a great rush down the field, and then came a kicking duel between the backs ,which finished with New Zealand on the attack. Stewart and Preforms came to grips following on a melee, and Stewart was warned. In the next scrum Hazlett was cautioned, free kicks being given to South Africa on both occasions. Pretorius and Mostert showed up in a clever dribbling rush. Jhen ih Springbok backs got moving again. Van Niekerk caused a thrill by a fine run, but he was keeled over by Bobilliard and Lilburne, Bailey saving in a dangerous position with a touchfinder. There was another brilliant bustling rush of the All Black forwards to the Springbok twenty-five, where Osier again saved with a good kick, following where there was some fierce forward struggling near half way. The next minute the crowd were or. their feet when Osier short-punted over the heads of the New Zealand hacks. Lilburne got to the hall, but Van Ber Westlnuzcn kicked it from under him, and he raced on ahead of Grenside and Lucas, and fell on the ball under the posts to score rather a lucky try. Bennie Osier converted. SPRINGBOKS r > ALL BLACKS 3 New Zealand then put in some dashing play. The backs opened out and with quick work, Bailey and, Nieholls cut in cleverly. Play swung across to the other flank, where a scrum was formed again. Bailey here fed the backs, and Johnson, when tackled, sent a grubber pass to Nieholls. He picked it up in a flash, and potted, but the ball hit the post and bounced back infield. Betermined work by the New Zealand forwards kept the Springboks on their line. Then came a strong attack by the New Zealand backs, which was met by an'equally stubborn defence. Twice Bailey worked the blind side and twice Robilliard was almost over, ho being thrown on to the corner flag. In one dash, he had his knee damaged, but lie played on gamely. New Zealand kept up a. terrific attack in whirlwind rushes, till a penalty was awarded to them, and Nieholls landed a beautiful goal from the side line. ALL BLACKS fi SPRINGBOKS 0 Half time then arrived with New Zealand one point up, after they had had all the best of the play. SECOND SPELL.

Immediately on 'resuming, the Springboks started a dazzling forward attack, led by Mnstcrt. Osier had a “ pot,” which missed, from the loose, but the Springbok forwards maintained their onslaught. A magnificent counter-at-tack was headed by Hazlett, McWilliams, and Rrownlie, which took the play to the South Africa 25. Again Halley set his machine moving, and the hall travelled along the chain to (Ironside, who was up-ended by Morkel. Round the next scrum shot Dailey again. He short-punted, and caught Van Dcr Wcsthuizen napping, hut Tindall managed to clear in time. Next there came a spoil of hard forward attacking by the Springboks, hut the All Blacks defence was never under suspicion. Splendid work by the All Black forwards, who were playing the game of their lives, took the play to the Springbok twenty-live. Dailey and Johnson broke round a scrum in a brilliant move, hut an inward pass was caught by Pretorius, who cleared. New Zealand hacks twice got away with good thrusts, hut offside play once gave Osier a chance to send them back. 'Then came a glorious unstoppable dribbling rush, in which Hazlett, McWilliams, Swain, Finlayson and Hadley did great work. Hazlett and Swain carried on after this movement had gone thirty yards, and the latter capped it with adept individualism by scoring a beautiful try at the corner. Nicholls’ kick fell a few feet short. ALL BLACKS 9 1 SPRINGBOKS 5 ‘

] Back went the All Blacks to the at- . tack, their rearguard often handling the greasy hall cleverly. The game ' had started again when Nicholls wont in to first five-eighth. Dailey whipped the ball away from a scrum, and from the twenty-five line at a difficult angle, Nicholls potted a great goal. ALL BLACKS 13 SPRINGBOKS 5 That made the New Zealand position definitely secure. The Springboks started a last desperate rally, hut they only once looked really dangerous when Rousseau held on too long in a passing rush. They were still trying to save the day when “ no-side ” sounded. The " All Black captain, Brownlie, was carried off' shoulder high by the New Zealand supporters. A huge crowd swarmed on to the field to congratulate the rest of the team. The New Zealanders were delighted at squaring the rubber, and the Springholes were very satisfied that they had not lost it. It was a great and memorable game, in which solid scrummaging on the part of the All Blacks and brilliant kicking by Nicholls won the day. Tho New Zealanders played as a team, and they showed tho best New Zealand lorn). Before to-day the All Blacks

had appeared palpably stale, but light training during the past week gave them a chance to pick up their form again. Jn tiiis hour of a fine victory, it is a hard task to assign the merit, for every member of the side played brilliantly. Nicholls, of course, was : the hero of the match, although it was to the magnificent play of the All Black forwards that New Zealand owes the triumph.

Nicholls was tho presiding genius of the All Black hacks. lie appeared to direct the storm which for the greater part of tlie game waged near the Springbok line. Nicholls to-day did tor New Zealand what Osier did for South Africa in the first tost. Dailey and Johnson never failed in defence, and they were both clever and quick on attack. All the three-quar-ters put in good work when they were given the chance, but it was not a day lor three-quarter movements. Lucas showed shrewd anticipation in breaking tlie Springbok attack.

Lilhurne, at full-back, in tlie face of a fierce attack, never faltered] His kicking was good and lii.s tackling deadly.

No praise would he too much for il o brilliant New Zealand pack. They were plainly the masters of the situation. In spite of their tiring .scrummaging, Swain and Hadley showed remarkable dash in the loose work. Harvey kept the scrum together firmly, also shining at times in the open. Finlayson, llaxle It and McWilliams were probably Hie best forwards. Brownlie again produced his usual fine test football.