Waratahs Win But Test is Name Only

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 461, 17 September 1928, Page 6

Waratahs Win But Test is Name Only

COURTESY TITLE GAME BELOW STANDARD (Special to THE SUN) CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. The name of “third test,” as applied to the meeting of New South Wales and New Zealand at Lancaster Park to-day is a courtesy title only. New South Wales won the match by 11 points to 8, and Its victory was a popular one. The match has gone to prove that New Zealand Rugby has not made the progress that many people have thought. There was one crumb of consolation in a disappointing match, and that was the superiority of New Zealand’s hookers against the three-two-three scrum packed by the visitors. Tho New Zealand scrum was not wholly successful, but the hookers, Clark and Palmer, claimed the advantage in 20 scrums against the Waratahs’ nine. Five scrums were indecisive. The All Black hookers did not worry about fighting for tho loose head, and mostly hooked with a New South Wales man outside each of the hookers. This did not impair the hooking seriously. New Zealand also claimed the lineout honours, with 25 against New South Wales’s 22, five being indecisive, but New South Wales made more use of its opportunities in that direction. NEW ZEALAND WEAK INSIDE

The weakness of New Zealand lay in the inside backs. They did not show anything like form until late in the second half, and the outside backs did not have enough speed to round off the movements.

Oliver and Hook changed places at second five-eighth and centre in the second half. Mackenzie at first fiveeighth did one qf the best things of the match when he “dummied,” cut through and sent into Oliver for a try by the posts. In the first half the handling was bad, although Page, who was workmanlike throughout and got plenty of ball, slung it out any number of times. Mehrtens at fullback misfielded several times, but on the whole was reliable, clearing brilliantly once or twice. New South Wales tried to make the play open in passing movements, but here again promising rushes were spoiled by the last man to handle not making up his mind to .go for the line, but rather looking for someone to pass to. There was just that fraction of irresolution that marred otherwise good displays by both Smairl and Hemingway. SOLID AS A ROCK

In the centre, Towers was the mainstay of the backs, and it is claimed that his display was not as good as previous ones on tour. He was the outstanding inside back on the ground, and did prodigies of defence for the Waratahs. Westfield, young and light, played a remarkable game at fullback. He was consistent throughout and showed power in his kicking that was belied by his frame. He did brilliant work as last line of defence. Snell, a substitute for Malcolm behind the scrum, played a creditable game. George was fair as five-eighth, and Caldwell was going well at centre until he h?d to go off with an injured knee. It was his first game since the opening match at Auckland. All round, the Waratahs had more thrust and speed than New Zealand, but errors marred their work. One good try was scored by Hemingway as a result of passing among the backs and forwards alike. The speed of the movement impressed. THREE WING-FORWARDS

The New Zealand forwards carried two wingers, in addition to Porter. Porter, playing his usual game, was everywhere and invaluable, even though he did get offside a lot. The other two were Toby Robinson and Knight. Knight was not doing his share and the work he did do did not justify his staying out in the open. Robinson shone at times in the open and there was more excuse on that account than for Knight. These two, however, should have left the winging to Porter. The best all-round forwards in the pack were Clark, Willoughby, Palmer and Freitas, with Steere useful. The New South Wales pack, with the exception of Louden, was remarkably even. Louden was the best forward on the ground, and excelled in breaking away, which was his job. He scored a good try and led the blues in forays time and time again.

A crowd of about 12,000 watched the match, which was played on a ground softened by rain.