ALL BLACKS IN AUSTRALIA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2897, 16 June 1925, Page 3

ALL BLACKS IN AUSTRALIA.

BEAT XEW SOUTH WALES 26—3. Sydney, June 14. Fifteen thousand witnessed the first test between the All Blacks and Hew South Wales. The weather was dull and threatening, and the ground on the soft side as a result of the recent rains.

Bryant replaced Ford in the New South Wales team. The Hew Zealanders played as cabled. The game was a splendid exhibition of wing play. Elvy was easily the best back on the ground, with Blake and Wise prominent. Hew South Wales, however, were heavier in the scrum, and obtained the ball more than did their opponents, and were usually superior in the line-outs. The line kicking was also a feature of the play. NEW SOUTH WALES GOES TO PIECES. The half time score of 3 all gives a fair indication of the merits of the teams, but in the latter part of the second half, Hew South Wales went to pieces, and the Hew Zealanders had things their own way.

Hew South Wales commenced to attack from the outset. Bowers took the ball down the line, but Rigliton marked and relieved the pressure. The attack was, however, maintained. Harris marked on the line and when play shifted back to halfway, but a long kick by Ross again brought the Hew Zealanders into danger. Mason smartly intercepted a pass, and 'a certain score by the Blue backs was spoiled by a knock-on. BOTH LACK GOAL KICKERS. The All Blacks were several times penalised in their own territory but Hew South Wales like the New Zealanders, lacked good goal kickers, all attempts going wide. Bowers retired after 20 minutes and was replaced by Mulligan. Greatorex, knocked on near the All Black's line and from the resulting scrum, the same player pushed his way over, but Crossman failed to convert. A few minutes later Wright started the backs going and in a scramble in a corner, Kirkpatrick crossed, but Dickson’s kick fell short. The All Blacks continued to attack, and Johnson was forced our. close to the Hew South Wales line. Faulty handling by the Black backs raised the hopes of the Hew South Wales supporters, hut tHe forwards retrieved the position. BRILLIAHCE WITH DISAPPOIHTMENT. The Blues continued to attack in the second half, but a Black passing movement saw Wise pulled down at the Hew South Wales twenty-five, after which, except for sporadic rushes, the game remained in the Blues’ half. A Hew Zealand forward rush took the ball to the line, where a scrum from a knoek-on favoured New South Wales, the ball being sent into touch. Off-side play by the All Blacks spoiled a promising piece of play. The ball went to Grossman, who made a speedy run past halfway, and Wise, in diving to collar him, succeeded, but was temporarily laid out.

A brilliant bank passing rush from a line out resulted in Elvy getting over at Ihe corner. Harris’ kick failed. Elvy again made a great dash down the line, but was pushed out. WRIGHT AND ELVY SHINE. Wright, behind the scrum, was responsible for much good work. He was setting back moving well. From a piece of off-side play by Greatorex, Dickson had a kick at goal. The ball hit the post and bounced over the line.

Kicking by Ross enabled the Blues to invade New Zealand’s half, but the All Blacks were equal to the occasion, and play went back to the Blues’ line, where Humphrey picked the ball out of the scrum. Harris’ kick fell just outside the post. Wise, from half way, made a good run down the line, but Rainbow intercepted his pass and kicked the ball which came into Elvy’s hands. He again distinguished himself by a great run, crossing at the corner Johnson's kick failed. WHOLE SIDE LOSES HEART The New South Wales backs were unable to prolit by the forwards’ efforts, and in the last ten minutes the whole side seemed to lose heart, New Zealand being allowed to score thrice in succession. First, Wise made a dash down the line and then passed to Lomax, who crossed. Some clever work by Blake saw Righton over and Wise was again prominent in taking the ball in front of the posts, cutting in and scoring. Dickson converted the latter s try. The other kicks failed. Just on time, Wise again got over at the corner. Johnson’s kick was unsuccessful, and the game ended: — New Zealand 26 New South Wales 3