THEY HOPE FOR A DRAW

NZ Truth, Issue 1186, 23 August 1928, Page 14

THEY HOPE FOR A DRAW

The Worst of the Tests, but All Blacks Fight Well Uphill (By Cable. — From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Representative touring 1 with the All Blacks.) . ■ <<TT was the hardest game I have ever played, and South Africa won beX cause we played the orthodox game, depending on stronger scrummages and open back play," remarked Phil. Mostert* the South African captain, as he walked off the ground at Port Elizabeth, amidst scenes of the wildest enthusiasm with the Springboks victorious m the third Test. The match was the best of the series, both teams giving a sterling display, and although the defence predominated, there were many brilliant movements. It was, indeed, an Homeric battle of .forwards, m which the New Zqalanders largely justified the great reputation credited them m their, homeland, playing the most solid game of the tour. • Stewart, the rover, frequently packed down m the front rank after the scrum formed, endeavoring to secure the loose head. A novel sight was witnessed of De Villiers, the Springboks' scrum half, frequently having the option of putting the ball m, and frequently racing round to the other side with Stewart chasing round the opposite side endeavoring to secure the loose head before the leather was thrown m. The pace of the forward battle was terrific and it soon became a question of which pack would crack first. : Towards the end of the first half, when the Springboks were leading by eight points to three, it certainly appeared that the All Blacks were assuming the ascendancy, and, hammering away at the Springbok line, looked to be all over winners. In the second half the Springboks' scrurnmagers asserted themselves and gradually wore down their opponents, having all the better of the game m the last twenty minutes. The game was largely defensive? the All Blacks' backs lining up with the scrum, and as a result they checked all efforts of the Springboks' backs to score with the orthodox chain of movements from the scrum. - But when the All Blapks secured the ball, their back alignment resulted ir standing passes, and their opponents often smothered the movements further back than the scrum. , There always seemed more thrust m the South African backs. Osier, playing the orthodox passing game, not once attempting a drop goal, kept his line continually on the move, but the passfng bouts vainly assaulted the impregnable All Blacks defence. - ' The Springboks opened as a result of a forward rush which Carleton stemmed, but, unable to clear, he passed back erratically to Lindsay, who fumbled, and the Springboks rushed the ball over, Nel scoring and Osier converting. Some, truly grand work by the New Zealand pack enabled the tourists to obtain a grip near their opponents line, and from a line-out Finlayson secured and passed back to Stewart, who bullocked over for a great try, making the score 5—3 m favor of South Africa. The Springboks assumed the lead when Van Druten, from a loose scrum, threw out to the backs, and swift' handling enabled De Jongh, the wing, to cross far out (B—3). . „ From this stage the All Blacks' pack dominated the play, pushing the Springboks on to the line, where they penned them. Here, heeling smartly, Dalley secured and flashed round the blind side, sending m to Grenside for a brilliantly spectacular try. . Lindsay again failed with the kick (B—6). '■

IlIIllf1tllllllIllllIItlllllLIIItlllIIttllllltItllllII|lllltltlllllllll(lltlltIlllllIlllllIIIIlIllIII(IIIIIIIllllltlIIIIlIlllll1l]lllIllllfllllIIlllIIIll.lIIttlII(ttlltf(tltl((ftflllfXIIIIttllIlItftIlfttlllI» The 6econd half was a terrific forward fight, with the South African pack gathering control m the scrums, keeping the backs attacking, and Osier saving the pack with magnificent touch kicking. Under pressure, Lilburne over-carried the ball. From a five yards scrum the Springboks heeled, and, exerting terrific force', pushed the All Blacks' pack m front of them over the line, where Daneel scored an unconverted try. The All Blacks made sporadic attacks largely as a result of intensive backing up, and Hazlett nearly scored, while, m the final moments, Hazleti, Swain and Grenside engaged m a great passing bout down the flank, Grenside being tackled and thrown out by two defenders at the corner flag m a thrilling effort to. save the day as the whistle marked the end of the game. While the honors of the game rested with the" Springbok pack, it was mainly their advantage of an eight-men pack which wore down their opponents, whose resolute play undoubtedly commanded the utmost admiration. : > Every man played brilliantly, with McWilliams and Hazlett most prominent m loose play. Alley and the hookers played dourly, the former going over the Springboks' line m tjie second half m a movement spoilt by a forward pass, while Brownlie and Finlayson were prodigious m all phases. Stewart was again brilliant as rover, harrying the icrum half by brilliant loose work and scoring a fine try. Dalley was somewhat patchy, as expected after an enforced; rest, but he initiated a clever try, keeping the defence guessing throughout. Lilburne had little chance, being always closely watched. Johnson was thrustful, playing an outstanding game, but his attacking movements were checked by reason of his defensive position. Carleton was again a magnificent defender. Grensjde played his best' game of the toun» being resolute and thrustful and completely outshining the opposition, while Robilliard was more enterprising. . Lindsay did not produce his best form, and, though undoubtedly a safe 'tackier, his kicking did not approach the usual high standard and he failed with the conversions. ' , Osier, De Villiers and Van Der Westhuizen were the best of the South African backs, the former playing the orthodox game and offering very valuable assistance to the forwards. His brilliant line-kicking at a critical stage m the first half, when relief was much required, was dazzling. , Mostert again proved a grand leader, and forwards Daneel and Oliver were outstanding m, the loose. Dv Toit and Van Druten were magnificent scrummagers. The All Blacks now have a severe task m the last two matches against Western Province, which contributed eleven players to the third Test and' probably to the final. , The Port Elizabeth game was greatly feared, owing to the non-success of South African teams m previous Test matches there, but at Newlands, where the last two matches are played, is the home of the Springboks' greatest triumphs.