THE ALL BLACKS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 270, 9 July 1932, Page 2

THE ALL BLACKS

TEAM REVIEWED DISRLAY IN FIRST MATCH DOES NOT IMPRESS . SYDNEY CRITIC. BACKS LACK RESOLUTION. Writing to the Sydney Sun, Mr. W. S. Hamilton, an Australian Rugby critic, riiakes the .following comments on the first match' played hy the All Blaeks on their present tour, against New South _ Wales. He states that the game was stodgy to a degree, and that the only moment when the 26,370' spectators were given any play of ari exciting nature was in the last few minutes of the match. Continuing, he states: "It, at least can be said for the New Zealanders, that they are a young lot, just off the boat. They did not impress as a match'-winning combination, hut they will- undoubtedly do better, and it would not surprise ' if they iriould into a team not unwortliy of the great football traditions of the dominion over the way. For the home side, it is more difficult to find excuses. Everything was in their favour, hut they just did not rise to the occasion. It was not the best New South Wales team that could have heen Selected, by any means, hut it was good enough to have done a great deal better. If they tasted the ashes of defeat, it was because there was not a hit of fire abont their work. There was none of that desperate endeavour that makes for hammering pulses and beating hearts. There was no pnrpose about it, too much kicking, and in the almost unbroken silence that held the crowd there could almost be heard the creaking. Fine Spirit. It was, then, a poor game. That must in justice ha said, but it would be equally unfair to deny that there was some good hard tackling and some keen dashes, the forwards were workers all the time, and, above all, the game was played in a wonderful spirit. There was not one untoward ineident, and, if there were not anything like 30 good players on the field, there were at least 30 deeent gentlemen, fine fellows all. Both sides had opportunities early, but beacuse there was no finish to the movements, the first score did not come until after 30 minutes of play. It was Campbell, then, who had shown some dash at the start, who dodged over the line after Morton and King had narrowly missed scoring. Half-time came soon afterwards, ; and play was uneventful on the resumption until Cottr>ell dived on the ball over the line as the climax to a forward rally. That put a bit of life into New South Wales, and Loudon pieked up a dropped pass to make an opening. He had the ball again after Towers had handled, and dived over. Ross converted, but the scores were soon eight-all, when Bullock-Douglas finished a neat three-quarter movement, and Pollock kicked a great goal. A penalty goal by Ross gave New South Wales the lead, and they looked like holding it until the Blacks came at the death, Cottrell surging over. Eleven-all now, and Pollock to kick. He made no mistake, and New Zealand had won as the bell rang. McLean Outstanding. He would he a foolish critic who would so early condemn the All Blacks on one game, individually or as a team, and all comment is qualified thus. This could he seen, however, that McLean is worthy to rank with the greatest forwards that have come over the Tasman. He was in everything, a fiery, untiring rucker. As might have been expected, the New Zealanders were superior in the loose, Metcalfe, Cottrell and Steere heing conspicuous. Solomon appeared to be lost a good deal of the time, and did not impress, even though he often reverted in effect to his natural position of wing forward. As yet the backs could not he described as a elassy combination. The wingers, Ball and Bullock-Douglas, have speed but no tricks, and not a good deal of resolution. There wa? not much thrust about the insides, hut Pollock and Caughey gave glimpses of form. None Outstanding. Among the New South Wales backs there was not one outstanding personality, although Malcolm's game was steady enough. Of King it can he said that he was trying often to do things, but it is obvious that he is not at . home in the five-eighth position. He deserves better than to he played there. Campbell could not be said, to have failed actually, because he was sound enough, but he is hardly a representative centre. Towers was dis- , appointing. Although White's handling was POt of the best, he at least showed some dash when the ball did come his way, but that was rare. Kennedy tackled well enough, hut was weak in attack. Such a sad tale is not easy in the telling, but the conclusion can be brighter. That was not the real form Qf either team, and if it was the darkest hour, then we are assuredly going to see a very bright dawn later on. There will be real football then, and lastly, because it needs no emphasis at all, there must be radical changes in the State team.