N.Z. LOSES IN GAME OF THRILLS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 437, 20 August 1928, Page 11

N.Z. LOSES IN GAME OF THRILLS

’Boks ive-Point Margin

GREAT THIRD-TEST STRUGGLE

Anybody’s Game Till the End

Amazing Demonstration of Enthusiasm

(United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Special to Press Association.)

PORT ELIZABETH, Saturday. I2s a thrilling and brilliant exhibition of Rugby South Africa 1 beat New Zealand by three tries, one converted, 11 points, to two tries, 6 points, to-day. It was a great win for the former, being the first time a Springbok side has ever won a test at Port Elizabeth. The ground was in fine condition, and the day was perfect for Rugby.

There was a deafening- roar from the crowd of 20,000 when the teams took the field and gave their war cries. The teams were as follows: South Africa Fullback: Tindall. Threequarters: De Jongh, Rousseau, Van der Westhuizen, Brand. Halfbacks: Bennie Osier, Be Villiers. Forwards: Mostert, Baniel, Nel, “Boy” Louw, Van Druten, Oliver, Pretorious, Dutoit. New Zealand Fullback: Lindsay. Threequarters: Robilliard, Carleton, Grenside. Five-eighths: Johnson, Lilburne. Halfback: Bailey. Forwards: Stewart (rover), Swain, Hadley, M. Brownlie, Alley, Finlayson,’ Hazlett, McWilliams. Brownlie lost the toss and kicked off. The Springbok forwards at once made a hot attack. They swept to the New Zeaand line, where Carleton, in attempting to cleaj:, threw the ball back to Lindsay, who missed it. Nel dived on the ball and scored a try which Osier converted. South Africa .. 5 All Blacks 0 With five points up in four minutes the Springboks made things merry. 4* 4* 4* -g> -s* 4. .

Van der Westhuizen effected a fine break, but determined tackling by Lindsay and Robilliard smashed the attack. Good work by Swain, McWilliams, Hadley and Hazlett, and a clever line kick by Johnson, put New Zealand right on the South African line. From the throw-in Finlayson got possession and passed to Stewart, who made a determined dive and scored with three Springboks hanging on to him. Lindsay’s kick hit the upright and bounced infield. South Africa 5 All Blacks . • 3 , Back went New Zealand to the attack. Bailey sent his backs away and the ball travelled beautifully out to Grenside, who dashed hard down the line, to be soundly downed by Tindall. A great forward rush by the Springboks, in which Mostert, Pretarius, Van Druten and Baniel were at the head, ended when Lindsay snapped the ball from their feet and found touch past half-way. There was some electric football in the next few minutes. First the New Zealand and then the Springbok backs opened out in beautiful passing movements. Another fine burst by the local forwards took play to the New Zealand line. Van Bruten shot out from the ruck and passed to Osle.r, Rousseau. Van der Westhuizen and finally Be Jongh handled the ball. The last-named raced hard for the corner •fid scored amid tumultous cheers. Osier missed the kick at goal. South Africa 8 All Blacks 3 There were some fireworks among the backs in the next few minutes. Johnson made a great cut in and opened up a movement which went half the length of the field. Working with cohesion the New Zealand forwards. led by Brownlie, Finlayson, McWilliams and Hazlett. swept down the fielcl in a brilliant forward rally. There was a scrum near the Springbok line. Dally made a brilliant break round the scrum and passed to Grenside. who forced his way over. Lindsay’s kick missej by inches. South Africa 8 Al Blacks 6 Half-time came a minute later with a whirlwind forward rush. New Zealand started the second spell by pressing hard on the Springbok line. The All Blacks continued to storm the African citadel, but they were up against a rock-like defence. Then came a great dribbling rush by the Springbok forwards, in which Mostert and Van Bruten shone. Slowly thev worked play to the New Zealand line, where Rousseau made a dash which looked dangerous, but Lilburne and Johnson, with solid tackles, saved. A Rcrum was put down five yards from the line. The Springboks secured possession, heeled the ball and Daniel dived over the line. Osier’s kick went wide South Africa .. .. 11 All Blacks 6 New Zealand immediately started a fine offensive. Johnson, Carleton and Grenside went awav in a brilliant Passing movement. A minute later Grenside intercepted and cut clean away with a great swerve and burst of speed. He was tackled from behind. The Springboks went back to the attack and it took New Zealand’s oest defence to keep them out. in the last minute of the game LII- - made a brilliant break through

from a scrum. lie passed to Hazlett. who transferred to Swain. The lastnamed sent the ball infield to Grenside. With a sparkling dash the Hawke’s Bay winger went hard for the line. Ha dived at the corner flag, but Brand, who had come flying across from the other wing, and Tindall, threw him out. FINAL South Africa .. 11 New Zealand 6 POINTS OF THE PLAY FINE FORWARD PACKS There was a great demonstration by tlio huge crowd when the final whistle sounded. They swarmed on to the field and carried Mostert shoulder-high to the dressing-room. They cheered, shouted and sang “For they are jolly good fellows.” Mostert was forced to make a short speech outside the pavilion, where fully 10,000 people collected. It was an amazing demonstration of enthusiasm. Right up until the call of time it was anybody’s game. The game provided surprisingly good football for a test match. Both sides made the * 4* 4* -I- 4* -1- 4* -I- 4» T' 4» «j» rl:

game as open as possible, with the result that the backs were frequently carrying out spectacular and thrilling movements The tackling on both sides was as sound as it could possibly be. The New Zealand forwards played a great game, scrummaging effectively. The Springboks relied on their traditional scrummaging to counter Stewart as loose head. New Zealand won 17 scrums and South Africa 28. A surprising feature was the fact that the New Zealanders were beaten in a department of the game for which they are noted. The Springboks won 31 line-outs and New Zealand 21. Seven penalties were given to the All Blacks and ten to the Springboks. Lindsay played his usual cool, reliable game, kicking with length and accuracy. The th.reequarter line. Grenside, Carlton and Robilliard, were in good form. They attacked with fine determination and their defence was always solid. Johnson and Lilburne went well together at fiveeighths. Johnson varied his play nicely, but was inclined to short punt too often. Bailey played a fine, allround game, at times rising to brilliant heights. McWilliams was New Zealand’s outstanding forward. Hazlett, Brownlie, Swain and Hadley were always in the picture, Alley and Finlayson shining with occasional bursts from line-outs. Stewart harassed Be Villiers and Osier all the afternoon.

SPRINGBOKS ONE-UP

ISSUE STILL IN DOUBT HARD. FAST GAME If Carleton had not committed the grievous blunder of passing back in his own line the Springboks probably would not have scored the winning margin of five points within the first four minutes of the garpe. But there are many “ifs” in an i nternationai Rugby game, and it is not desirable to excuse defeat by a monotonous recital of them. Undoubtedly it was a gift try. At the same time it was the result of an All Black mistake, and in what game does one not strive to profit by an opponent’s error of judgment? It would be churlish to attempt to detract from the merit of the South African victory merely because of this and veryunfair to harshly criticise Carleton for a mistake committed in the first few hectic moments of a game in which, otherwise, he acquitted himself with distinction. According to the cabled report it was anybody’s game right up to th» last whistle. Without doubt it must have been a stirring encounter. Strangely enough no criticism is made against any member of the New Zealand side, and apparently all played good games. Fossibly some better than others. Apparently Johnson and Lilburne worked well together, and the backs were well fed by Bailey, who seems to have been well on his game. Judging by the detailed account of the game Grenside -was the outstanding figure in the three-quarter line. It was most unfortunate that in the last few minutes of the game he was hurled

out over the corner line after a determined dash. On another occasion he also went very close until tackled behind.

It is perhaps to be regretted that Lucas was not included on one wing. Although not so strong on defence as Robilliard the Aucklander possesses that touch of genius, particularly with his ability quickly to change the direction of attack with a pass or a -welljudged cross-kick, that might have been the means of penetrating the Springbok defence when the direct charging methods of the other wings failed. It would have at least provided a greater variety of attack. As only ten penalties were given the Springboks it would seem that the protest of the Springbok manager against the playing of Stewart as loose head could not have had much effect. In this capacity Stewart was again a thorn in the side of the Springbok inside men. On the day the Springboks were apparently a slightly better side, and the team must be congratulated upon its fine performance. South Africa is now one up and the fourth test will decide -whether or not they will win the rubber. The All Blacks may be relied upon to strain every nerve to make it an even break and another great game can be expected. With a very narrow margin of points between both teams the issue is still in doubt.

New All Black XV.

SIX AUCKLANDERS PICKED MINNS GETS HIS “CAP” Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Sunday. The following Rugby football team has been selected to represent New Zealand in the first test match against New South Wales at Wellington on September S: Fullback: Butler (Auckland). Threequarters: Minns (Auckland), L. Hook (Auckland), Snodgrass (Nelson). Five-eighths: Cooke (Wairarapa), Bradanovitch (Otago). Halfback: Holden (Otago). Wingforward: Porter (Wellington). Forwards: Palmer (Auckland)_, Clark (Canterbury), Freitas (West Coast), Stcere (Hawke’s Bay), Willoughby (Wairarapa), Knight (Auckland), Batty (Auckland). Emergencies:—Backs: McClymont (Otago), Oliver (Canterbury). Forwards: Toby

Robinson (Canterbury), Howden (Southland). The selection of Minns, the Auckland University wing threequarter, after he had failed even to secure nomination from Auckland for the in-ter-Island match, is of a mildly sensational order. Minns, however, played great football on tour in the South, and although it is not yet clear why he was not played in the interIsland game after being specially sent for, his selection is one that few will be prepared to criticise. The backs should mould into a powerful side, with Cooke as the kingpin of the attack. Bradanovitch has evidently fully upheld the great promise he showed in Auckland when little more than a schoolboy. He is probably the “baby” of the side, although Vic Butler, another Aucklander, will run him close. The biggest surprise in the forwards is the omission of A. Finlayson, one of the finest (and unluckiest) frontrankers Auckland has ever produced. However, his team-mate, Palmer, has secured well-deserved recognition, a remark which also applies to Walter Batty, who has had a long time to wait for international honours, but who has at last gained a well-merited place in a New Zealand side. Steere and Willoughby are two hefty grafters and Clark, Knight and Freitas have all been playing well lately. Porter is back in his old place at wing forward, and will no doubt captain the side against the Cornstalks.

WIN FOR FIJIANS

AUCKLAND VARSITY DEFEATED (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and N.Z Press Association.) SUVA, Saturday. The Fiji Rugby team defeated the Auckland University College team at Albert Park by 12 points to 3. The local players were superior in all departments of the game, which was played in drizzling rain. There were 3,000 spectators, including the Governor, Sir Eyre Hutson. The teams were entertained at a dinner in the Town Hall this evening. They will have a picnic at Nukulau tomorrow. TAKAPUNA V. ROTORUA Bright and open football characterised the curtain-raiser at Eden Park on Saturday when Rotorua High School defeated Takapuna Grammar School by 13 points to nine. Raethel, Kingi and Anaru scored for the winners, Kingi converting two tries. For Takapuna Eade scored and O'Brien kicked two penalties. Mr. E. Hudson was referee.