THE ALL BLACKS

Hokitika Guardian, 1 August 1929, Page 3

THE ALL BLACKS

REVIEW OF THE TOUR. MR G. W. SLADE’S IMPRESS JONS. WELLINGTON, July 30. Among those who accompanied the New Zealand Rughv team on its pre-sent-tour to Australia was Mr G. W. Slade, an ex-chairman of the Now Zealand Rugby Union. Ho returned to Wellington to-day, and in conversation he gave some items of interest regarding the tour. There was no doubt, he said, that the standard of Rugby football in Australia, had improved, and there was quite a wealth of good talent there. Lawton was by no means a spent force as a player, and for other positions in the ilack division then, uas excellent material in good supply. He had seen three good halfbacks, Malcolm, Lamport, and Rutherford, the last-named from Newcastle. Malcolm was outstanding. There were also three really g->od fullbacks, 'Westfield and Ross, of Sydney, aiid Burke, of Newcastle. Of these lie was inclined to place Westfield ahead of Ross in order of pier it. There were other players, too, who had impressed very favourably, am; whose form has, of "nurse, helped to make the standard of .play higher. The game in. Australia was not only .on the up grade so far as the play was concerned, but it was also spreading. The prospects were much brighter in the country north of Sydney and in Queensland than in the-.south. In Newcastle the - game was well established, and ""is also doing well in Armidale, where -there was evidence of it spreading to the .surroundin'- districts. If’'"- 1 ." no appeared to ;b-e definitely on the Rugby map. The visit of the All Blacks to Armidale accounted for a record match for that town and the enthusiasts there were well i'Vji.o-,,1 with the showing made by their team. For the game as a whole in Australia the three defeats of the All Blacks would do a tremendous amount of good, while they we’dd mt do any harm to New Zealand. Without detracting from the merit of Australia’s performance, Mr pointed out that the New Zealand -team had had ~ chapter of and smim of its members had been affected h" illness. Cuts and sustained hv "-lnv’-'iT on the h-rd grounds affected tiny players and sonic cqaethe wounds became septic. There were other handicaps, but for al 1 that the team was imt making nnv excuses for defeat. The Australians were just a shade hotter so far as the '.'*~.'re-rntion of points was concerned. Tn Mr Slade’s nnin'm it wav not Vow Zealand’s hnct team that was <-™"> in action in Australia, aiV. there was evidence of some of the .plovers, lacking esper*««<-'* but these players would do well as a result of ,tlie topr. Mr Slade also mentioned that i‘ had h p en intended th"+ Xenia shovl' 1 come hack with him, but the plnyo” was not well enough to travel. Nopi° had had a touch of pneumonia as well as an injured back. Mr S. >S Dean, chairman of the Now Zealand Rugby Union, was progressing wql l after his operation. TT e was still in hospital, and it would he some weeks before he would be able to return to New Zealand. Concerning the train smash which occurred while the \ll Blacks were on their way to Brisbane, Mr SI a' 1 " said that all on the train had had a miraculous escape. “It, was only tlm cutting that prevented a disaster,” lie added.

WIN FOR ALL BLACKS. AGAINST N.S.W. COLTS. (Australian Press Association.) SYDNEY, July 31. The All Blacks’ match against the New South Wales’ team of colts was played in fine weather, with the turf in good condition, despite recent rains. The attendance was three thousand. Hook replaced StringfelloW. New South Wales won the toss and took advantage of a strong wind. Play for the first quarter of an hour was.of a desultory jiature, chiefly in New Zealand’s quarter. Five minutes later from a scrambling rush, Cerutti forced his way over the All Blacks’ line. Ruthven failed to convert.

New South Wales 3: New Zealand 0 From the kick-off, play was rapidly transferred to the New South Wales end of the field, where Lilburno secured, and making a dashing solo run, scored and converting his own try.

N.Z. 5: N.S.W. 3 New South Wales replied immediately with a strenuous effort, and pressed the visitors back to their o>vn end of the field. Here Hind made a brilliant opening and transferred to Towers, to Temingway, the last-named scoring in a good position. Ruthven s kick failed. / N.S.W. 6: N.Z. 5 New Zealand then forced play upfield and Leys, Tuck, and Lilburne participated in a brilliant passing rush a certain score being lost through Hook fumbling. There was no further score before half-time.—N.S.W. 6: N.Z. 5. Play had not been up to representative form, being scraggy, and 1 of a disjointed character, though several of the blues had showed fine individual work. Upon resumption, play hovered at midfield until an ugly passing rush pi-

mest saw New South Wales over the Blacks' line again. However, Carleton saved the situation by forcing. New Zealand then took a turn at attack, "but a splendid combined movement was spoiled by the forwards overrunning the ball, which cost the Blacks another try. Continuing the attack from good inler-change passing, the hail went to Geddes, who centred finely. Sontagg set his backs in motion, and Palmer crossed under the posts. Lillnirne goaled. t N.Z. - • Play now began to sparkle, a fine run by Hinds put New South Wales on attack. He transferred the leather to Towers, who in turn passed to Moore, who dived over under the posts. Ruthveil missed with the kick. N.S.W. 9: N.Z. .10 The game now rapidly moved to the opposite end, where from a penalty awarded thirty yards out, Lilburne kicked a line goal. N.Z. 13: N.S.W. 9 Continuing the pressure the Blacks penned their opponents to their own 25. where Lilburne snapped up and dropped a fine field goal. N.Z. 17: ’N.S.W: 9 Porter and Leys figured in a brief passing rush, but this was stopped b.v solid defence. Then the Blue colts rushed play dnwnfield, Ilinds .scoring at the corner. Towers just' failed with the kick. N.S.W. 12: N.Z. 17 v Porter next scored in the corner, h i Lillnirne’s kick failgd to go over. N.Z. 20: N.S.W. 12. At this stage Hind' was injur'd while trying to stop Porter. There was no further score before time was called. Play was not impressive at any stage, , as. -both teams -were too lackadaisical in their methods. Lilburne was the most conspicuous figure on the field. It must he noted that the colts’ forwards got most of the hall from the serums. • In penalties the teams were about equal. Mr Cooney was referee.