ALL BLACKS’ DEBUT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 703, 1 July 1929, Page 7

ALL BLACKS’ DEBUT

hard battle in the MUD ENDS IN A DRAW NEITHER SIDE SCORES (United PA. — By Telegraph — Copyright) SYDNEY, Sunday. Tn wretched weather New South Wales met the All Blacks on the Sydney Cricket Ground, the game resulting in a draw, with no score. A crowd of about -5,000 was present, the attendance being affected by the rain, which fell incessantly for about 50 hours prior to the match. The turf was fairly firm, but the centre of the field was treacherous. Heavy showers fell at the start of the match. On the arrival of the GovernorGeneral, Lord Stonehaven, both teams gave a war cry, which was enthusiastically received. Cundy replaced Porter in the New Zealand team, which was led by Dailey. The teams were: NEW ZEALAND Fullback. —Nepia. Threequartcrs.—Waterman, Carleton, Grenside. Five-eighths.—Lilburne, Oliver. Halfback. —Dailey. Wingforward.—Cundy. Forwards. —Snow*. McWilliams, Rika, Steere, Sonnag, Reid, Cotterell. NEW SOUTH WALES Fullback. —Ross. Threequartcrs.—E. Ford, Towers, King. Mann. Halves. —Bartley, Lamport. Forwards. —Breckenridge, ,T. Ford, Palfreyman, Finlay, Telford, Waddington, Ferguson, Cerutti. brisk exchanges New South Wales won the toss and played with a strong wind. From the kick-off the home team gradually invaded New Zealand’s quarter, where Ross made a poor attempt at a goal from a penalty. Desultory play at midfield followed. Then came a fine run and kick by Dailey. By smart following up Grenside put the All Blacks in a splendid position, but Ross relieved with a fine kick. Following up fast from the ruck, E. Ford gathered up smartly and almost crossed the New Zealand line near the corner. The All Balck forwards relieved however, and, with a series ot solendld dribbling rushes, took play near mid-field. They were ably supported by Lilburne, Oliver, Carleton, Tialley and Nepia. Front a penalty {hey further Improved their position NEPIA KICKS POSTER The next feature was a fine passing rush by the whole of the New South Wales threequarter line. Towers making a splendid opening with a hashing run downfield. Ho transferred to Mann who. however, was pulled down when >n h verv dangerous position.

For the first 20 mimites, play was mostly of a forward nature. Then N e w Zealand opened an attack, taking play to the home territory, where, from a penalty in the twentyfive, Nepia kicked a poster.

Ross was prominent in all-round defence. Towers repeatedly broke through, but Nepia successfully checked him. Then came a series of wild kicking between both sets of backs, play hovering in midfield. Carleton, at this stage, retired with a slight injury to his arm, being replaced by Stringfellow'. Play was nowremarkable for hard rucking, both vanguards indulging in deadly duels. The tackling on both sides was an outstanding feature. Right through the game New South Wales was gaining most of the ball from both the scrummages and line-outs. J. Ford, a bulky forward, headed n dangerous movement, but Nepia and Lilburne marked twice in close succession, to stave off brilliant attacks. Nepia, by a very weak pass to Stringfellow, almost allowed New South Wales to score. Then, from a penalty 30 yards out, Ross almost goaled. Towers broke away to Nepia, who proved equal to the occasion by smothering the centre’s pass. Nepia was partially stunned by the impact, but quickly recovered. New South Wales persisted in its attack, but its back play in the All Blacks’ territory was faulty. The players were prone to over-long passes, which are good fine-weather tactics, but nullified the chances on this occasion. At half-time neither side had scored. The second half opened impressively. Towers again distinguished himself by a dashing run, but he was poorly supported. The wind had now moderated, The All Blacks commenced a series of heavy forward rushes, characterised by grim determination. New South Wales showed equally determined resistance. Nevertheless, play was territorially in New Zealand’s favour, and from penalties Nepia and Lilburne missed the posts narrowly. SUPERB FORWARD PLAY Waterman threw* away a certain score by losing possession actually on the line Then came thrilling dribbling and footwork by E. Ford, who kicked past Nepia to under the posts. A certain score was lost through overeagerness. New South Wales at this stage was playing with renewed vigour in attacking movements. Both packs indeed were putting up a superb tight. Play was stopped momentarily owing to Lilburne receiving a minor injury to his hand. The game was punctuated by frequent penalties. During the closing stages New South Wales created frantic excitement by a huge combined onslaught, which was countered by stubborn defence. The efforts of both sides to snatch a victory involved a desperate struggle, and a fitting climax. It was the best and most impressive exhibition of wet-weather Rugby LTnion football witnessed in Sydney over a long period. The match ended without either side having scored. The New South Wales forwards surprised everybody by their wonderful showing in checking their opponents, who played quite up to New Zealand’s best standard. It was equally apparent that Nepia had found his match in Ross, both of whom were always conspicuous

Dailey played his usual briliant wetweather game. His outside supports mproved considerably in combination in the course »f the game. The New Zeaand forwards played wonderful ootball, almost dominating the day in the last

stages. Among the New South Wales backs t owers and Ross were easily the stars, the weakest man in this division was

’"■bo lacked experience and forwilrt' Ford " the eiant Waratah xorward was most prominent through- ? at ’ a P? received adequate support irom his colleagues.

FIRST TEST MATCH AUSTRALIAN SELECTION ANNOUNCED FOUR QUEENSLANDERS SYDNEY, Sunday. The Australian Rugby team to meet tno All Blacks next Saturday is as follow: Fullback: Ross. Threequarters: E. Ford. Towers, Ring, Gordon. Lawton (captain). Halfback: Malcolm or Lamport. forwards: Brenckenridge, J. Ford, Palfreyman, Finlay, Hamelainen, Judd, Cerutti, Bonis, Thompson. One forward will be omitted. Malcolm will play half if the conditions aro dry, and Lamport otherwise. Lawton, Hamelainen, Bonis, and Thompson are Queenslanders.