ALL BLACKS BEATEN

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 709, 8 July 1929, Page 7

ALL BLACKS BEATEN

HARD TUSSLE IN FIRST TEST GREAT CROWD SEES GAME (United P.A.—By Telegraph—Copyright SYDNEY, Sunday. Australia defeated the All Blacks in the first Test match by 9 points to 8, and the large crowd of 40,000 spectators made a great demonstration of joy at the victory.

Better displays have been given by All Black teams. The general work today was ragged, especially that ot the back division, which lacked in confidence and initiative. The forwards displayed laxity in scrummaging, which was uneven, with slow heeling out. Their solidity and application of weight were not sufficient to counter the opposing eight. The game was won on its merits, Australia showing superior cohesion all round, and her men were more successful in hooking the ball in about 65 per cent, of the scrums. The game was open and spectacular, and was of an exciting order. It was somewhat wanting in regular scientific methods, with an abnormal amount of high tackling and illjudged passing by both sides. Although numerous injuries occurred the game was never rough, and was contested in the finest spirit. The four Queenslanders on the winning side fully justified their inclusion. Commenting on the game, the “Sunday Times” says: All representative Rugby code games this season seem to lack the brilliance of other years. This is probably due to over-anxiousness. Yesterday’s New Zealand-Australia game was in that category. The first half was remarkable for the number of passes dropped on either side. Not once did the ball reach the New Zealand wing-three-quarters cleanly, after going among inside backs. This was quite unlike New Zealand football. Candidly the New Zealand team does not compare at all favourably with those of former years. The forwards do not have the physique, nor is there the nippiness among the backs so characteristic of bygone days. Lawton and King were the best of the Australian backs. Ross, J. Ford, Thompson, Breckenridge and Bonis were others who figured prominently. McWilliams and Snow were New Zealand’s best forwards, but the only back who was up to consistent standard was Oliver. LAWTON LAUDED The “Telegraph Pictorial” comments that unfortunately too many mistakes were made at critical moments, and these spoilt what otherwise would have been a magnificent game, but there were some delightful movements revealed. The splendid stamina of the men and the closeness of the scoring furnished all the thrills expected. It was a first-class match. Many present agreed that Lawton was the greatest five-eighths ever seen. Reside and Rika were always in the thick of the fight, while Hlburne and Oliver were a constant source of great worry to Australia. A STIRRING ENCOUNTER The “Sunday News” says it was a stirring encounter, with thrill upon thrill in the second half. The New Zealand forwards were adepts at screwing in the scrums. It was unfortunate Nepia was out of action in the second half. The manager of the All Blacks, Mr. J. McLeod, in an interview, said the better team on the day had won. The New Zealanders made more mistakes than the other side, but if they had had a good leader in the last five minutes to steady the All Blacks they probably would have pulled the game out of the fire. “Anyhow,” said Mr. McLeod, “we think we have seen the Australians at their best. They have not seen us at our best.

“Porter is practically well and will be playing in a few days, possibly on Wednesday. Nepia’s back is very sore in the same old spot, but he hopes soon to be in the picture again. Otherwise the members of the team are very well indeed, and we are all being treated most hospitably. We have not a single complaint against anybody.”