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Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1929, Page 3

The crowd made a great demonstration being eiated at the result. Better displays have been given by All Black teams. Their general w'orkHolay> was ragged, especially in the back division, which lacked in confidence and" imitative. The forwards displayed laxity in their scrummaging, wiixn •was uneven, with slow heeling out. Their solidity and application of weight was not sufficient to counter the opposing eight. The game was won on its merits, Australia showing superior cohesion all round, and her men were more successful in hooking. About 6-3 per cent, of the game was open and spectacular, and was of an exciting order. It. was somewhat wan< ing in regular scientific methods, with an, abnormal amount of high tackling and ill-judged passing by both Although numerous injuries, occurred the game was never rough, and was contested in the -finest spirit. The four Queenslanders ! on the winning side fully justified tlieir inclusion. ALL BLACKS CRITICISED. The Sunday Times says:—All representative Rugby code games this season seem to lack the brilliance of other years, probably due to over-anx-ionsness. Yesterday’s Nejv ZealahdAustralian game was in that category. The first half was remarkable for the number of passes dropped on ciiTic side. Not once did the ball reach the New Zealand wing three-quart.?.-; cleanly, after going among the inside backs. This was qnite unlike New Zealand football. Candidly, the New Zealand team does not compare favourably with those of former years: The forwards do not have the physique, nor, is there the nippiness among the backs so charcteristit of bygone days. Lawton, and King were the best of the Australian backs, while Ross, J. Fore), Thompson, Breckenridge and • Bonis were others who figured prominently. McWilliams and Snow were New Zealand’s best forwards, but the only back who was up to consistent standard was Oliver. The Telegraph Pictorial comments that unfortunately too many mistakes were made at critical moments, and these spoilt what otherwise would have been a magnificent game, but there were some delightful movements revealing the splendid stamina of the men, and the closeness of the scoring furnished all the thrills expectable. It was a first-class match. Many present agreed that Lawton was the greatest five-eight ever seen. Reside and Rika (N.Z. Maoris) were always in the thick of the 'fight, while Li I burn e and Oliver were a constant source of great worry to the greens. ; ; The Sunday News says: It was a stirring encounter, with thrill upon thrill in the second half. The New Zealand forwards;,, were . .adepts at screwing in the scrums. It was unfortunate Nepia as out of action in the second half.

N.S.W. TEAM FOlt WEDNESDAY

! ' SYDNEY, July 1 -7. I The N.S.W. team against New Zealand next Wednesday will be: Ross, xoui, lowers, ivirtg, Gordon, Bartley, Lam; ort, Breckenridge, J. Ford, Dalfreyman, Finlay, Tellord, Judd, Ferguson and Linerson. MANAGER INTERVIEWED. this day at 8 a.m.) > ‘ SYDNEY, July 7. Manager McLeod interviewed to T night said the best team on the-day won. We made more mistakes than the other side',' but if. we had a. good leader in the last five minutes to steady the backs, we probably, would ha.e pulled the game out of the lire. Anyhow wo think we have seen the Australians at their best. They have not seen us at our best. McLeod added that Porter was practically, well and would be playing in a few days, p:\ssib y on Wednesday.. Nopia’s back is very sore in the same old

spot, but he hopes soon to be in the picture again. Otherwise the team is very well indeed and we are all being treated most hospitably. We have not a single complaint against anybody.