AUCKLAND’S WIN

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 33, 2 May 1927, Page 11

AUCKLAND’S WIN

Leaguers Start Season With Big Rep. Game BROWN CONFOUNDS HIS CRITICS League Rugby was given a great start in Auckland on Saturday when a selected Auckland thir teen defeated a New Zealand side, drawn from the Auckland membe rs of the team which visited England last winter. A great crowd, estimated at upwards of 15,000, gave the teams a rousing recepti on, and followed the varying stages of a thrilling match with the customary League enthusiasm.

It caused some little surprise in League circles when the Auckland representative team defeated the All Blacks with a score of 24-21. It was a last-minute victory, caused by Auckland's aggressive attacks and able combination among the backs during the latter part of the game. In reality there was little to choose between the teams. In the earlier stages of the game, good kicking on the part of the Blacks proved itself a feature, and after about 10 minutes’ play, when both sides had got into their it was noticed that in the majority of cases Auckland had the advantage in the winning of the ball from the scrum. The Blacks, however, evened this matter up by good combination among both the backs and forwards, although those snappy passing rushes which might have been expected from an international side were few and far between. The closing stages of the game were of a most exciting nature, and, with even scores, both sides were out to win, arid the fight became a hard one. Time was now close at hand, and a draw seemed inevitable, but, only giving himself a matter of a few minutes to do the job, Payne,, with three forwards in support, broke away, amid deafening cheers from the stand. The ball was then conveyed to Clark, then to Davidson, and' finally back to Payne, who dashed over the line, and gave Auckland those three points which made them the winners of the game.

After such an extensive tour, it was expected that much improvement would be noticeable among the ranks of the tourists. However, that \yas not revealed to any large deg f e, for Brown and Parkes were perhaps the only ones to show that they had learned a great deal while away. Much was expected of Davidson, who, like the stockily-built halfback Wilson flail, is said to have improved out of all knowledge. Davidson failed to show up prominently, but a knock in the early stages of the game, together with the fact that he did not have many opportunities, may have had something to do with his display. Still, the fact cannot be denied that he failed to come up to expectations. A BIG FAULT REMEDIED It is obvious that the All Blacks have remedied a big fault which was in evidence while on tour. English critics stated that the chief failure in the team was the scrum, and while they admitted that the men were heavy enough, it was considered they worked on loose forward lines. Further, each man seemed to have a desire to excel in the open, with the result that the scrummaging was at a disadvantage. It must follow, that if forwards are too eager to break away before the ball is out, all the necessary weight is not used, the scrum is not so tightly packed as it should be, and the result is that the “rake” receives little or no support whilst endeavouring to give his side possession of the leather. It was due to these faults that in most of the matches in England our opponents invariably secured the ball from the scrum. Our backs were therefore on the run all thci time chasing the English backs all over the field. There was a difference on Saturday, however, for the forwards went

down as one man, and not even the break-away made an attempt to leave the pack until the hooker had received every assistance, and the ball was clear. Parkes was therefore more than able to hold his own with the opposing' hooker, St. George. HUNG ON TOO LONG At times Auckland was beaten in the scrum, and the ball slipped out to the opposing - backs, but it was of no avail, as there were one or two, especially Cole, who hung on too long. Prentice, Wetlierill, and List are a good trio, and play together well, and the Auckland team owes a great <leal to these three in making the openings and keeping the combination Wetlierill was the brains of the side, and was right up to his best form—which is only another way of saying that he is the best five-eighths in New Zealand to-day. B. Davidson, at centre, did not appear to care on Saturday, and his game was of a very slipshod nature. Gardiner played his usual wild and furious game,, and throughout he made some fine solo attempts. Peckham plaj’ed a good game, and made some good openings. Gregory, at fullback, seemed to get very few opportunities to shine, but what did come his way were made full use of. BROWN'S FINE PLAY Brown was the most reliable in the three-quarter line, being brilliant in attack and equally as good in defence. Brown’s quickness in getting off the mark, and the speed he can muster, was amply demonstrated when he secured the ball at halfway, and, after outpacing the opposition, scored a bright try. Cole and Webb were mediocre, while Kerwan played an excellent game, his tackling at times being very deadly. Avery, who was the pick of the forwards, is a very brainy player in the open, while he has adopted the principle of using his weight to more advantage in the scrum. Every player in the Auckland team justified the selectors’ confidence. Probably the best bask on the field was List, who gave a brilliant display. List’s resource is excellent, while his straight running was an object-lesson to those centres who run toward the touch-lines. Times out of number he broke through the opposisition in a remarkably clever manner. Clark, who figured among the forwards, was one of the best on' the field. Lie seemed to be everywh yr at-once. The manner in which < & k took the ball with the utmost precision at top speed, .cut in, and tackled, was a rare treat for the snectators. His display was assuredly a dazzling one. Payne and Hutt were also sound, while St. George raked splendidly.