THE ALL BLACKS

Hokitika Guardian, 19 June 1930, Page 3

THE ALL BLACKS

FIRST TEST TEAM

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.!

DUNEDIN, June 18,

The following is the team that has been selected to represent New Zealand against the British Rugby team in the first test match at Dunedin on Saturday:— Full-back: Nepia. Three-quarters: Hart, Lucas, and OUiver. Five-eighths: Cooke and Lilburno. Half-back: Mill. Wing-forward: Porter.

Hookers; Cottcrill and Irvine Lock : S tec re.

Supports: Finlayson and McWilliams. '

Back row: Hazlett and Battv. Reserves: Hore, Nicholls and Johnson..

Owing to the effects of the recent injury to bis knee, 'Stewart wa R not considered in the selection. DUNEDIN, June 18.

Next week tb 0 British team, who 'jlfeve been having full practices here, and also are playing golf each- day, will go visiting, some, to Southland, more to Mount' Cook, and a third party to Timaru. ...

TRIAL MATCH.

. . . . OAM VR U. ~June 18. Before three thousand spectators the All Blacks to-day defeated North Otago, reps by thirty-four points-- to six. The. day was overcast, with a cold biting wind. The All Black team for the first spell was as follows: —

Full-back: Nepia, Three-quarters: Hart, Lucas and Cooke.

Five-eighths: Olliver and Johnson

Half-back; Mill. Forwards: Cotterill, Irvine, Steere, Finlayson, McWilliams, Batty, Hazlett and Hore.

THE PLa\

■ The -All Black forwards, from the commencement, made a , determined attack, but it was tbo'n apparent that the opposite team had been un-'der-estimated, their defence proving surprisi ugly effective, and the final score was no real indications of the relative strength- of the teams. : Hart opened the scoring, with a try'’ ■behind the posts, which Nepia converted.—All Blacks b.i North Otago Q> Gaffanev, from, a penalty,'.’ then placed North Otago on the .score. Board, with a .brilliant goal, from a difficult .angle- near the. side -lino*— North Otago 3; All Blacks ‘b. /"M/.

- ITllio- (AjJ- - Blacks /then - commenced rapid scoring-. Cooke, sitle *’steppilifT, scored under the posts.

Then ;t try was obtained by Olliver, which Ncpia also converted, making tl'c score: — All Blacks 15; North Otago 3.-. . ■ v With a flash' 'of "Brilliant passing, Had; then scored, hut Nenia failed to convert.—All Blacks 18.;_North Otago 3

From a kick"'! liis" second ftohT".:—Portly G; All Blacks 18/ •• '■.; f: / /. .This was followed-'cituckly Jvcpia converting a. try by AFi 11 aiid;dbc..luil f-timo-score was Otago G. -

SECOND SPELL.

For tho second half, CottofLll, Johnson, sind Otliver were replaced by Xicholls, Lillmrne and Hore. North Ot.a-go, playing;*with considerable dash on the defensive held the visitors until Hart, with a sensational dash, placed the hall behind the posts. Nepia converted.—All Blacks 28; North Otago 6. • Hart followed up his success V scoring/, a further try, and with ten minutes to go the score stood. All Blacks 31; North Otago f>.

Lucas, closely attended by Hazlett. made a dash for the line just on the ring of the final bell, and brought the sb'-’s total to 34.

The match could not l>c termed in an.y way a good display of Rugby. The All Blacks, with the exception Of' a few brilliant flashes, appeared to .lack polish, except Porter, who was in-the thick of the struggle always, and., at; times the team was a one-man affair. Hart was the most spectacular in Ins play, and yet his brilliancy was spasmodic. • The replacements in the second spell did not alter the strength of the team to any degree. Tf the All Blacks do not introduce more snappy passing they will have difficulty in outplaying the Englishmen.

In many tight corners this afternoon, Nepia’s kicking stood his team ill good stead .. ■ Hazlett and .Finlaysn played fine, forward games. , k'• ;

North Otago, played a surprisingly good game against such an opposition, ft would l>e difficult to select any of that team who played better than his fellows.

ALL BLACKS’ CAPTAIN

PORTER APPOINTED

DUNEDIN, June 17

C. G. Porter, of Wellington, has been appointed captain of the New Zealand Rugby team for the first Test.

The referee for the test will be Mr Hollander, of Christchurch, The British team has the right of nominating a referee lor the test matches.