FIRST AFTER THE TEST

NZ Truth, Issue 1180, 12 July 1928, Page 16

FIRST AFTER THE TEST

Diminished All Black Team Only Secure Draw At Kimberley (By Cable. — From "N.Z. Truth's" • Special Representative touring with the' All Blacks.) ' ORIGINALLY regarded as a minor test match, the Northern Provinces fixture finally assumed the proportions of an ordinary, game, owing to the South African selectors prohibiting the participation of the Springboks, who it was desired to rest for the Second Test and at, the same time relieve the All Blacks of undue severity following immediately on the Durban Test. , i However, a strong side, including players from five provinces, was fielded against the All Blacks, whose selection, by the way, was certainly restricted, owing to minor injuries to Robilliard, Carleton, Grenside, Scrimshaw and Harvey, and the illness through influenza of Maurice and Cyril Brown lie. . The form displayed on both sides was erratic, indifferent tackling, handling and poor kicking being interspersed with a few brilliant movements. The accident to Kilby after twenty minutes, leaving fourteen men, completely disorganized the back division, and for the first time of the tour the defence lacked that splendid, dour resistance which has always been an outstanding feature of the important games. McGregor, who went scrum- half, sustained a badly-torn cartilage of the knee immediately after the interval, and although he played on m a fashion bordering on the heroic, he was largely anchored and his effectiveness was much, affected, while Stewart, who shifted to centre, had not sufficient pace necessary for the position and was twice passed, m scoring movements. A feature of the All Blacks' play was the two magnificent tries of Rushbrook and the long-range scoring kicks of Lindsay. In the former's first try, he received the ball, commencing a sparkling run from his own half. Swerving m past the opposite wing, he then turned out, and m a long run beat several defenders m spectacular fashion. His second try came from a bad c);oss-kiok of Francis, the opposing fly-half. Lindsay, racing up and fielding the ball, swerved out and was cleverly joined by Stewart, who passed to Rushbrook, for the speedy wing to repeat his previous- run, beating the defence with sheer speed. Lindsay, apart from converting one try, scored a penalty from 45 yards out, finally scoring a magnificent drop-goal from fifty yards at a difficult angle near* the touch-line. Otherwise, Lindsay did not reproduce the sterling defence exhibited at Durban, 'Dobie twice swerving past him. Lindsay's line-kicking was lengthy rather than accurate, and his inability to find touch rather affected the merit of his display. Nicholls, who was unable to get going m the first half, made a coiaple of brilliant breaks m the second, once cutting through with the forwards. - Lucas, m supporting Nicholls, passed to Ward, who held on too long until tackled by the full-back, instead of passing out to Lucas, who had an open line. ""■■.'•.... Sheen was workmanlike, but of Lucas, who was inconspicuous, it appears that he might be better suited to centre. . , y _ The forwards put up a stubborn fight m the, scrums, holding their own against a rugged pack. Mac Williams and Finlayson were outstanding, whilst Alley was most solid m the ruck, Ward being prominent m the. loose. Of the South Africans, Dobie gave a brilliant display at centre, and, with Potgieter, who it had been intimated would not be required 1 for the next Test, -will have to be closely considered for places at Johannesburg.