DO FIRST OPINIONS COUNT?
IN view of the progress made to date, "Truth's" special reporter's impressions, made after the first game m the land of the Springbok, should hold more than a modicum of interest. In this commentary he says, inter alia: The strength of the touring team is undoubtedly their forwards, and today the All Blacks dominated their opponents everywhere except m the tight scrums, and here the. rugged and rough country pack clean whipped the scientifically-contrived New Zealand scrum formation for possession, winning 16 out of 26 properly formed scrums. ' , Where the tourists really impressed was m the line-out, and I do not ever recall having seen two better line-but men than Finlayson and Stewart. Throughout they were hitting the ball back to Dalley and their opponents could not get their hands near it. The: whole of the touring forwards were good m the line, but where' they also impressed was m the loose with their speed and handling. '. Unlike the South African, who is inclined to overcrowd m a passing rush so that one opponent may often check the whole movement, the All Blacks gave themselves elbow and breathing space and shot out their waist-high passes and handled the ball m a manner that was a delight to witness. • But to-day they just could not finish off their movements. Finlayson, on his showing this afternoon, will, Ifhink, prove-to be one of the greatest, if not the very greatest all-round forward I have ever seen. Harvey is another grand fellow, and I think the Wairarapa forward will put the seal on his reputation- in this tour as one of the best of the tourists' Hadley, Cyril Brownlie and Hazlett are also grand forwards whom I can well conceive must rank very high 'among the best forwards m any country to-day, while Hwas immensely struck with the speed of Swain and the judgment with which he uses, it to get up and support an attack. I must reserve comment on the backs. Dalley was a most useful scrum worker, but McGregor was rather inclined to. run into the opposing forwards instead of letting but the ball. Mark, Nicholls played as one would. expect of a great veteran, and by the word veteran I mean experience m football campaigning; there was subdued cleverness m all he did. t . . Lucas was a trifle uncertain m his handling, but both the wings, Grenside and Robilliard, showed dash and handling ability. The > former combined with Dalley m several blind side movements, while Robilliard showed himself a strong runner and handled well. .. Lilburne, I should say, is steady rather than brilliant. There was a lack of length m his kicking this afternoon, and.it suffered m comparison with Lategan, the opposing, fuM-back, -.who kicked a fine length- and by his.steadiness under pressure should make himself a candidate for the Springbok team. I don't for a minute think I saw the best of the tourists to-day, but they did not conceal the. magnificence of their forwards, who, when they lost faith intheir backs towards the end of the game.took control. of the ball themselves. -When you have a team with forwards' that can do this it is nigh unbeatable. ■■■■■■■ : . . . :, '',-'■■ :. , With the Parliamentary Assembly m session, the House was left practically deserted while politicians vied with sportsmen to have an early'word with the grand young fellows from a sister Dominion when they arrived. The array of waiting notabilities was such as to daunt the stalwart All Blacks, and Maurice Brownlie tried to hide himself away m the bathrrfom. The short notice to catch the train at Durban had, forced most of the players, to leave their baggage behind them, and the _ New Zealand captain, who has a nice taste m clothes, was quite unnecessarily a little tired of the well-cut suit Jie had been wearing for a week— and three days m a train plays havoc with i one's linen. .-,■": '■' '- ' / '■He was soon hauled out. however, and his keen personality and charm made him the centre of attraction, and General SmutsVin particular seemed attracted to the New Zealand captain. y Since then the tourists have been the ..idols;. of Capetown. Autographhunting appears to be a favorite' pursuit of the youth of the town, and morning and ;: night dozens . of youths, are marking the entrance to the hotel to obtain- the treasured signatures of the' tourists. The youngsters were rather a trial, but these grand fellows of yours did not show/ the least impatience. "The kids are keen on the game if they want our mohnikers, and I suppose it will help the game along." mildly remarked one of the stalwart tourists as he signed the umteenth book. •..."' No- touring team has ever been so popular. When a couple of the side Were' recognized in.Adderley, Street/ the middle of the town, they were made the uncomfortable centre of a procession largely composed -of .Malays, than whom there are no keener followers of Rugby m the wide world. '
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NZ Truth, Issue 1180, 12 July 1928, Page 16
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829DO FIRST OPINIONS COUNT? NZ Truth, Issue 1180, 12 July 1928, Page 16
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