SPRINGBOKS ANSWER CRITICS IN FIRST TEST

NZ Truth, Issue 1179, 5 July 1928, Page 14

SPRINGBOKS ANSWER CRITICS IN FIRST TEST

DALLEY'S ERRATIC PASSING

ALL BLACKS OUTPLAYED

But Brilliant Work By Lindsay Proves An Inspiration OSLER, A WIZARD FLY-HALF

(By Cable. — From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Representative travelling with the All Blacks.)

THE resolute tackling and inspired play at full-back by Lindsay, alone saved New Zealand from an utter rout at Kingsmead m the first Test. The only satisfaction that New Zealanders can obtain from the game is that despite the fact that the tourists were defending for seventy-five per cent, of the match, their line was only crossed once, other than when the fourteen points were scored, mainly through the brilliant kicking of Bennie Ostler. The All Blacks opened with a dramatic attack when the ball was snapped up m the first minute and high-punted onto the full-back. He fumbled, and practically the whole team swarmed down on him, but a knock-on brought relief to the homesters.

This start apparently only flattered the tourists, as throughout the match there was only one other occasion when the All Blacks seemed at all likely to score. This was m the second half when Johnson effected a brilliant cut through, but Scrimshaw dropped a pass when m a position, which, had he held, it, might quite possibly have led to a try. Brilliant forward play, and solid scrummaging, supported by clever backs, all of whom kicked to the very best advantage, was responsible for the South African victory.

The All Blacks were simply outplayed m the scrums for possession. It was a case of three big men hooking against two little men, and, m spite of-the faith of New Zealanders m little men to hook the ball, it was power and strength, supported by solid push that triumphed.. The All Blacks battled hard m the scrums and did better than they have done hitherto against good sides, but they were forced to use themselves up with the result, that the South African forwar.d.s, accustomed to work, not only beat them m the scrums, but m all phases of forward play except line-out, wherein the tall New, Zealanders had a decided advantage. The tourists' worst* handicap was the poor play of Dalley, who quite failed to reproduce his Transvaal form at the base of the scrum, and was passing ba,d.ly or holding on and running into the forwards.

Bennie Osier was well served by long passes from the scrum and m contrast to Johnson, was able to handle free from the attentions of the -'rover.

Scrimshaw, whose duty it was to mark Bennie, was never able to reach him before he passed or kicked, and was, therefore, so impotent, that m the second half, he was shifted to the three-quarter position to support the backs.

I Johnson was naturally handicapped by Dalley's erratic passing, but playe.d. very cleverly, nevertheless. Wells' keen marking never permitted Strang, who lacked initiative, to vary his play. The All Blacks seemed to lack inspiration and sparkle, excepting m the two fine rallies at the end of the first half and last ten minutes, whereas the Springboks, splendidly led by Mostert, controlled the play, forcing their opponents to play their game. After the tourists had secured the ball freely towards the end of the first half, Mostert changed his scrum formation m the second session, hooking himself for one spell and winning the bad sixteen times successively. From' the onset, the Springbok backs made full use of the touch-line, long relief and attacking kicking adding its. effect towards wearing down the touring forwar.d.s and enabling the homesters to secure a huge advantage of the game territorially. This was interspersed with occasional diagonal three-quarter thrusts and thrilling tackles by Lindsay on right and left wings, he alone stopping their pepper-pot attempts to score within the minute.

The All Blacks' custodian shared with Osier, the honors of the game, his superbly cool and safe fielding, literally m the face of a bombardment of high punts over the heads of the .defence, saving one dangerous situation after another. His kicking was lengthy, admirable and accurate. He was a great full-back on the day's play and it may not be too much to say that he saved the team from an utter rout. The uninspiring play of the New Zealanders generally was not up to international standard, apart from their great-hearted defence, but it was hard and keen and the only incident that occurred was When the referee awarded a penalty to the homesters from a position right m front of the goalposts as a result of Johnson vigorously tackljng Osier after he had kicke.d. the ball outside the All Blacks' twenty-five, near the touch-line. Robilliard, Carleton and Grenside all suffered minor injuries. Neyer given a chance to attack, they defended superbly, the latter greatly assisting Lindsay. ■':•■>■• Duffy, the South Africans' centre, was injure.d. m the first half and was unable to come on to the field after the interval, South Africa playing only fourteen men, with Pretorius, forward, m the role of emergency centre. Of the forwards, Hadley was the best of the hookers. Finlayson and Stewart both played a tighter game than usual. Hazlett, with Alley were most solid. Brownlie was far below form and quite failed to live up to his great reputation. On this form, the All Blacks will certainly not win a Test match, but they were below the form displayed, against Transvaal and are capable of much better. It is probable that Nicholls, who should never have been omitted, will replace Strang, while Lucas will be given a chance m the next Test.