RUGBY FOOTBALL

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 156, 22 September 1927, Page 15

RUGBY FOOTBALL

ALL BLACK TRIAL MATCH GAME AT WANGANUI Press Association. WANGANUI, Wednesday. In ideal conditions the third All Black trial match was played 1:0-day between the Taranaki-Wanganui and the Wellington-Manawhenua teams, and an exposition above the average resulted. The latter won by 10 points to 9. Continuity in Wanganui’s rearguard was not maintained as in the case off Wellington, where Kilby, Johnson, Nicholls, South and Rushbrook possessed a knowledge of each other's play which proved the winning factor. What Wanganui lost in back play the vanguard almost retrieved. Headed by Ward, Leahy, Johnston and Walter, the pack shouldered into the tight-play with vigour. In the first spell Wellington was defending solidly and in the final stages Wanganui-Taranaki forwards played with vim equal to that in the opening efforts. Individually it must be said that few players impressed as being of All Black class. Malcolm was undoubtedly the best fullback of the four tried, and Darby was next, but neither displayed attributes above good provincial standard. South was the best back., both on attack and defence. He possesses pace, handle* the ball cleanly and is a splendid tackier. Nicholls was the same resourceful player who toured with the 1924-25 All Blacks, and his knowledge of the fine points helped Wellington. Kilby overshadowed Duncan at half. He passed cleanly, the ball going to the five-eighths like a shot. Of the Wellington forwards, PringJc, Galpin, Olliver and Taylor were the most prominent. Pringle’s reach in the line-outs was of great assistance. Of the Wanganui-Taranaki backs, none impressed as being better that, the opposition. Duncan, Johnston, Wakeling and Brown figured in a good deal of play, but were patchy. Johnston was probably the best, with Duncan, Wakeling and Brown next in that order. Ward, of Taranaki, was the outstanding forward. Leahy and Johnston, o! Wanganui, worked hard right through. Players whose names appeared for serection in the Auckland-North Auckland team on Saturday are requested to attend training at the Newton shed at 7.15 this evening.

NOTES AND COMMENTS

PORTER, “THE OFF-SIDE KING” (Special to THE SUN.) WANGANUI, Wednesday. One point was all that separated victor from vanquished in the trial game held this afternoon as a quest for representative All Blacks to tour South Africa. The game was a hard one, very thrilling in the second half particularly, but it cannot be said that very many of to-day's players will make the coveted trip, when one considers the big list of probables available at Auckland, Hawke’s Bay, Canterbury, Otago and Southland. To-clay, there were several fea-

tures worth noting: (1) The splendid refereeing of Mr. Eggleton, of New Plymouth; (2) the weakness of the goal-kicking on the part of Wanganui-Tarakani; (3) the offside play of Wellington-Mana-whenua, the chief culprit being Porter, who was responsible for quite a number of penalties being awarded to the opposite side; (4) a great try South secured after a most brilliant solo effort. NICHOLLS KICKS WELL

At all stages of the game, Mr. Eggleton had full control and it was generally admitted that the refereeing was of a very high standard. In regard to place-kicking, Brown had a number of opportunities, but the magic of his boot was not in evidence, and was in strong contrast to the efforts of Mark Nicholls, who never failed, though admittedly his kicks were easy ones. The Wanganui-Taranaki backs were not quite so accomplished as their opponents, but on the other hand, the Wellington - Manawhenua forwards were not such a vigorous bunch as their rivals. Petty, as fullback, did not compare favourably with Malcolm, his vis-a-vis, but during the second half, the latter had to retire, owing to an injury. Darby replaced Petty for the second half, and he tackled his men in line style.

In the threequarter line, South at centre was the outstanding man, and the try he got was the result of a great gallop through the field, no one having pace enough to catch him. Nicholls, too, did excellent work for hila side. Galpin, Pringle and Ward were probably the pick of the forward division. Porter played hard, but was too frequently off-side. Of the Wanganui-Taranaki team, Brown at centre, Norris and Vangioni, with Wa.keling at five-eighths, were the pick. Duncan at half was better than Kilby, his vis-a-vis, but too often tried to get through himself, instead of getting his backs in motion. Stiver as wing- forward was really superior to Porter, liis work being much cleaner, while Collision, Leahy, Ward and Jack Johnston were the best of a fine, fighting team of forwards. The ground was in perfect condition, and the attendance numbered between 3,000 and 4,000.