THIRD TEST

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 29 July 1929, Page 5

THIRD TEST

WON BY AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND RUGBY TAKES SECOND PLACE NARROW MARGIN* AFTER EPIC STRUGGLE (United Preee AuooioMoa—By Xtootrla Telegraph—Copyright) SYDNEY, 27th July. The final of the ltugby football test series between New Zealand and Australia was played at the Sydney Cricket Ground, and provided an epic struggle. New Zealand’s unique position of fighting to win a single test- as against Australia’s ambition to secure an unprecedented victory in all three, produced an unusual tenseness in the players of both sides who were specially primed for the event. The weather was perfect —sunny and without wind—while the ground was hard. . A section of boy scouts, guests of the Rugby Union, gave a war cry prior to (he big match. The attendance reached 29,000. . , „ Carleton replaced Oliver in the New Zealand team, the latter being unable to play owing to a face injury suffered in the Queensland match, and at the last moment Leys replaced Dailey. DETAILS OE THE PLAY Following Lawton’s kick-off from the south end of the ground, the Australians commenced a loose dribbling attack. Tho pressure was relieved by a penalty kick in the centre. Then, by good combined play, New Zealand invaded tho Green’s territory. Australia /replied by carrying the game to midfield, but the All Blacks again pressed, and from a penalty kick Lilburne missed the goal narrowly. Leys and Stringfellow assayed drop kick goals, but tlie attempts were unsuccessful. Continuing the pressure, New Zealand worked close to the right hand side corner of the goal line. There, Cotterell swiftly passed infield to McWilliams who scored within eight 1 minutes of the start. Lilburne failed to goal. New Zealand 3—Australia 0. The All Blacks were now showing sparkling form, and four minutes later an Australian pass was intercepted beautifully by Stringfellow, who ran clear Through, scoring under the posts. Lilburne converted. New Zealand B—Australia 0. Australia, stung by New Zealand's unexpected brilliancy on attack, replied with some fine concerted play headed by J. Ford, and were placed m a good position by a fine centring kick by Me-. Glue. They worked down the field to the New Zealand 25, where the All Blacks were penalised, and Lawton kicked a splendid goal which was hailed with enthusiasm .by the large crowd. Australia 3 —New Zealand 8. Play then waged hot and strong in the centre of the field, both sides putting on pressure. , , Lawton was conspicuous in a fine attacking movement, which however was spoiled by bad handling by Findlay. Australia was frequently penalised, mostly for off-side play. After thirty minutes of givo and take play from another penalty well infield, Lawton registered his second goal. Australia 6—New Zealand 8. New Zealand immediately, with a good rucking movement, took play to near the posts. Lilburne gained possession and made a magnificent long, accurate pass outfield to Stringfellow, the ball then going to Westfield and Grenside who dived across at the corner. Lilburne, with a superb effort, g’oaled. New Zealand 13—Australia 6. Following a tremendous, hot Australian rally over the New Zealand line, Tuck forced. Great excitement prevailed just before half time, when Towers from infield 1 drop-kicked a great penalty goal.. The spell ended with New Zealand leading by 13 points to 9. SECOND HALF After the interval, following Porter’s kick off, play became very fast, but was somewhat ragged. It hovered in the centre of the field for a time, but gradually began to verge towards New Zealand’s end, and the All Blacks marked three times in quick succession to relieve the pressure. The next feature of the game was a beautifully engineered rearguard movement. by Australia, all the backs handling the ball till the effect was nullified by a mulled pass. The AH Blacks immediately responded with a good combined rush, and from thirty yards out Lilburne narrowly missed the" goal from a penalty.’ A leg injury to McWilliams suspended activities momentarily, and the crowd became somewhat impatient, but on resuming, the play became exhilarating and the finest movement of the day was staged. Towers made a brilliant, dodgy run, and his pass sent the ball through eight pairs of hands to J. Ford, who forced his way over at the corner flag amidst tremendous applause. Lawton failed to goal, but it was a close shave. Australia 12—New Zealand 13. Both teams were now thoroughly on their mettle. The Australians territorially had much advantage for a time, but the All Blacks got relief and invaded Greens’ quarters where Lilburne attempted unsuccessfully .to goal from a penalty. Australia then, made a marvellous sortie. King, in midfield, gathered in the ball, and ran all his supports into position. After many exchanges, King again secured possession to score at the corner. Lawton’s attempt to add tho major points missed .narrowly. Australia 15—Now Zealand 13. The crowd applauded continuously as Australia gained two points lead. Porter secured from the kick off and the All Blacks commenced a lively attack, only to he driven back momentarily. However, by a long kick, the All Blacks were again able to assume the olfensive, and for some time penned the Greens within their own 25. New Zealand’s movements lacked finish, and their various dashes ended fruitlessly against rile Australians’ solid defence. The play increased in intensity and the final stage saw Australia making tremendous efforts to add further to their lead. E. Ford and Malcolm almost scored, hut when time was called no change had bec-n registered, and Australia had done the hat trick in the tests.

NOTES ON THE PLAY

COMMENT ON PI.AYEIIS On the day the better team won, although the final issue hung closely in the balance. It took thirty-five minutes of the sc-, eond half to give the Greens their coveted lead. New Zealand showed some improved form and enterprise in (he first spell, which greatly upset the Australian cohesion. This, however was not sustained in the second half, and the Australian hack division worked in more systematic. manner, finally enabling them to snatch victory. New Zealand lost the match for the want of reliable place kicking. Numer-

ous opportunities were offered within good striking distance. A much greater number of penalties was recorded against Australia in the first spell than against their opponents, an analysis showing that Australia was penalised 13 times against New Zetland's seven. The Greens gained the majority of possessions from the scrums. Malcolm, at scrum half, played magnificently, feeding his outside backs liberally. King and Lawton were both superb in attack. Porter was at his best. His example and leadership were invaluable to New Zealand. The All Blacks forwards, to a man, worked hard although raggedly, but finesse was lacking in the back movements. Tuck, at full back, was not reliable, and Hook was somewhat weak. The general standard of the play was excellent, especially in the latter stages, the pace actually increasing as tho game went on, and presenting the spectators with a fast, open, spectacular display. The two leading efforts leading to scores were probably the finest evolutions made in the whole series of tests, and aroused tremendous and almost continuous cheering. The spirit throughout was excellent, as was tlie referee’s control of the game. Stringfellow, Grenside and Lilburne were the best of the New Zealand backs, whilst Sontag, McWilliams and Snow were the most prominent forwards Kivell, Reid, Cotterell and Rika all ably contributing. Leys was not a strong connecting ’link. PAPER - COMMENT PRAISE FOR PORTER (Received 29th July, 10.55 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. The “Herald,” commenting on the test, says: “Victory went to the better side. Although New Zealand bad three tries to two, the home side proved superior in the open play, sheer pace being the downfall of the visitors. (Jhey were compelled to withstand rush after rush in which the direction was varied, and it was obvious that every stoppage was a blessed relief to them. Australia must take the success with becoming modesty, the AH Blacks being distinctly unfortunate in playing without Dailey and Oliver. No one will forget Porter's heroic, inspiring effort. He was in nearly every movement, and Ins great tackling and speed in short bursts was v onderful. He set a seal on his feme, and there were no signs that Lis caoer *s a leader or rover of exceptional activity should end.” “ALL BLACKS LOSE SCRUMS” The “Telegraph Pictorial” says: “The All Blacks were magnificent, though not victorious. Goal kicking was the deciding factor for success. The Australians depended upon pace and tho New Zealanders generally relied upon ivggedness and battering forward chaiges for which they are renowned in the Rugby world. The visitors had tho* best of matters in the line outs, but tlie homo men predominated in tlie .serums. Australia owed much to Malcolm’s clever play. The match will go down in history as one of (lie very few internalional losses suffered by the All Blacks, but the visitors have won tlie admiration of sportsmen for (lie gallant fight in the face of adversity.” “YOU CAN’T"COME IN” ALL BLACKS TAKE FIELD LATE (Received 29th July, 10.10 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. The “Telegraph Pictorial” reveals why Saturday's test was late starting. It appears that tlie All Black official party numbers 35, and thirty of these arriving in a charabanc were admitted through the gates, but a ear containing the other live met with an official order: “You can't come in.’’ A scene developed, and the gate official was informed that if the party could not enter, there would be no match. Eventually a compromise was readied, the car remain. in*; outside and the passengers passing through the. turnstiles. Ihe players were thirteen minutes late in taking the field. Mr McLeod, the All Black manager, stated last night that his threat of no match was only a juke. “VYe were so • helpless,” in? said. NO MATCH WITH MAORIS WELLINGTON, This Day. ' Mr M.l.eod, manager of the All Blacks, has cabled that it is impracticable for the team to play a match I with the Maoris at Auckland owing to i heavy casualties. An endeavour is now being made, to : arrange a match Maoris versus Auck- ■ land.