ALL BLACKS WIN

Hokitika Guardian, 27 June 1932, Page 2

ALL BLACKS WIN

N.S.W. DEFEATED BY 13 TO 11. AN EXCITING CONTEST. (Australian Press Association.) SYDNEY, June 26. X'he New Zealand Hugby team yesterday snatched victory in the last' two minutes of their opening match against New South Wales. The All Blacks only rarely succeeded in thrilling the crowd of 26,730 present. Though the better side, particularly in' attack, they failed to impress the onlookers as being as strong as mo-t of their predecessors, and they must improve vastly before the tests. The most promising •feature of the game was the All Blacks’ infusion of more life into it in the second spell, due to 'the visitors gaining a grea-er share of the possession of the boh from the set scrums. Their scrum formation in the first spell was tlnee-three-two. Thereafter, in consequence of a change to three-four-one, the All Blacks allowed New .South Wales to win possession of the bah' only in two scrummages in the second half. Moreover the All Blacks wer e regularly beaten for the ball in the lineout, though occasionally breaking through to check the New South Wales back movements. One of the counteracting tactics in' the second half was .a longer thiow-in to the tall forwards, who congregated well .inside the five . yards 1 *ne. •Collins, the N.Z. full-back, was sound, but was not brilliant. Ball and Bullock-Douglas were impressive. Caugliey had limited oppor. tunities. Pollock was enterprising in tho face of the incessant spoiling of the homo breakaways, But tho ball came too slowly to Caughey, resulting in few concerted back rushes. Kilby was superb in handling, an ‘ ticipation, and accurate line kick ng. He was responsible for many of New Zealand's inroads. McLean was easily the outstanding forward. All the front row men were capable spscialis'is mid ruckers. The main All Black weakness lay in a lack of combination, though the first impresfi'ons indicate a lack of viidity and of typical Ai'l Black pugnacity. There was, however, no comparison between the visitors’ form in the first and second spells, Mr H. B. Mayne was referee, and the State Governor, Sir P. Game, was present. The weather was fine, with a light south-west wind. THE PLAY. The opening play was uninspiring and ragged. The teams left the field at the (interval. Thereafter it was obvious that there had been a team v a ,lk. .Speed and variation of method were more noticeable, New Zealand had the wind In tho first spell, but the only advantage taken of it was by Kilby with his line kicking. It was half an hour before the only score of the first spell was registered, being a try for New .South Wales by Campbell. The try followed .a penetration, when he passed inside, breaking thA New Zealand forwards off their balance. They had anticipated a hanking movement. Previously, BullockDouglas was unlucky with a short punt over the N.S.W. full-back, Ross, the bnli rolling into touch-in-goal only a yard past the corner 'flag. Malcolm had a .feast from the lineout and scrummages. New South Walk's backs were stereotyped in their play, and were unable to outflank the visitors. -The lighter New South Waleforwards hold their own in rucking and in opportunism, while the tackling of both sides was excellent.

Solomon showed great anticipation. Once, when Ross was coming up among his backs, he scissor-pa-sed to Malcolm. Several of the defenders were caught by this change of direction, but Soioman envisaged the whole movement. AFTER HALF TIME. Thrills began immediately on the resumption. Metcalfe and Purdue led a forward advance towards the N.S.W. goal, Purdue losing the ball when he was tackled from behind. Soon after this a lapse, which might have co-t the game, ended a fine movement that was initiated by Pollock, Ball letting the ball «iip from his grasp when he was clear of the N.S.W. defenders, with an open goal I'ne in front of him. There was, however, a reward for the sustained pressure, a try being scored by Cottrell, who touched down after a scramble on the New .South Wale- him. A solitary New South Wales raid at this period' led to New South Wales securing a try. Pollock misjudged a bounce, and Loudon seized I lie ball. He gathered it .again from Towers, who sent a wil'd inpass, and crossed under the bar. Ross converted. N.S.W. 8; X.Z. 3. An equalising score 'that lollov.ed w:m the result of brilliant sush-i”.ed work, the N.Z. forwards winning the ball i" three oUcce.ssive scrums, including a five yards scrum, after M.arle.l had run hack' to force. Her e Kilby’s and Ldhurne’s passes out to Bullock-Douglas we>-.n the snappiest of the match, am the winger crossed at the corner score. Pollock converted with a magnificent k'hh. , |<o.ss then kicked a penalty g»ai lor N.S.W., foiv.ing a dangerous forward rush giving New .South Wale'-- the lead t.en minutes before the lin'd whistle.

The New Zealanders’ closing efforts roused intense .excitement. The play was opened lup at every available chance. The winning try came as the result of a weak chop out. No New iSouth Wales forwards were near, and King fumbled, and Cottrell, being oi. hand, scooped up a rolling ball on. had an open passage to score in a nice position. Pollock converted, making the scores: N.Z. 13; N.S.W. 11. New Zealand were racing into p" : tion for another try as the beH weiu. EVEN PEGGING. A feature of the match was that the sixteen penalties given in the first spell, they were evenly sp’it. No: was of kickabfe distance. N.Z. CAPTAIN’S STATEMENT. Kilby, interviewed, said : “We might easily have lost. Combination will coin e with match practice. The forwards lacked the understanding for successful scrummaging with the thi'ce-three-two formation. The New South Wales' defence was grand.” AUSTRALIA V. NEW ZEALAND. SYDNEY, June 26. The team to represent Australia against the All Blacks in the first test match next 'Saturday is as follows : Full-back: Ross. Three-quarters: Cowper, King, Stmtridge, Steggart. Halves: Lawton (captain), Malcolm. Forwards: Clarke, White, Brin die, Bland, Cook, Love, Bonis, Cerutti." The team includes six Queenslanders, two Victorians, and the remainder belong to New South Wales.