THE ALL BLACKS IN SYDNEY.

Shannon News, 25 July 1924, Page 3

THE ALL BLACKS IN SYDNEY.

NOTES ON THE SECOND TEST. The Clmstchurcii Star's correspondent writes a very interesting account of the All Blacks second test in Sydney when, in the presence of 25,000 people, they amply avenged their defeat in the first test by scoring seven tries, six in the first spell. The reason why the All Blacks did not appear to do so well in the second half was because fihey were somewhat demoralised by the peculiar decisions of the referee. NEPIA'S FAILURE.

There was no getting away from the fact that the All Blacks outclassed the opposition. There were only two disappointing features in tiheir display, one was the very poor goalkicking. Nepia,, Nicholls, Richardson and M. Brownlee all had shots, but failed to send the ball between the posts.

The other bad feature- was Nepia's display at full-back. Once again he speculated wildly—he has done it in every match here so far—and landed his side in difficulties. Frequently he got up amongst the forwards. ' His kicking was at times poor, and lacked direction, and he showed an entire lack of anticipation, with the result that he wa,s._ often right out of position. If the All Blacks' are to Win their big matches at Home, the New Zealand union will (be wise to. send another full-back, as it appears 4hat once a, big crowd starts to roar Nepia loses his nerve, a.nd does wild and foolish things. ' REFEREEING PECULIARITIES. Having scored six tries, the All Blacks led by 18 to. nil at half-time. They played just as well in the second spell, but the numiber of penalties given against them were really astounding. Mr Irving, whose decisions in the first hall could be fairly easily followed, gave different rulings altogether after half-time, and could not be recognised as the same referee. On one occasion, Porter secured the ball from the back of the scrota and set off on a solo dribbling effort. He had kicked it two or three times, and had gone ten or a dozen yards when he was brought back and ruled off-side, greatly to the surprise of the players* and many onlookers. BROWNLEE ORDERED OFF.

As already mentioned, the referee gave some decisions in the second spell which were hard to understand. For instance, on one occasion when NothHng was tackled he threw the ball into /touch, but instead of a free kick being given against him;, the penalty was actually enforced against New Zealand! But the most unfortunate incident of the whole lot was when the referee ordered Brownlee off the field. The facts of the affair were these. Greatorex had the hall, had dashed past Porter and cannoned hard into Brownlee's shoulder just as the big New Zealander was rising to break away from the scrum. Grear lorex went flat on the broad of his back, temporarily knocked out. The referee immediately ordered Brownlee off, but like true sportsmen Walker!. Davis and other New South Wales players pointed out to Mr Irving that he could not order a man off for such an accidental occurrence. Some: of the New Zealanders also expressed displeasure at the referee's attitude, and finally he allowed Brownlee to remain on the field. Naturally Brownlee was very upset over the incident. It would have been quite bad enough to have cautioned Brownlee as it was just as much Greatorex's fault as Brownlee's. In short it was a pure accident which occurred with remarkable suddenness.