“ONE MAN SHOW”

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1035, 28 July 1930, Page 7

“ONE MAN SHOW”

CAUSTIC COMMENT ON N.Z. LEAGUE TEAM SYDNEY MATCH FIASCO The Sydney exchanges which arrived in Auckland by last mail are all most trenchant in their comment on the showing of the New Zealand Rugby League “All Black" side in its second match with New South Wales, when it was defeated decisively by 29 points to 2. The Sydney “Sportsman” is most caustic. It says: “Injuries and sickness have played Old Harry with the Enzed side, but the main cause of the shocking show put over by the Kiwis on Saturday is that the side is a one-man show. “That’s a tough ’un to put over, but it is the straight oil, nevertheless, for one has to hand them the fruit for onlybringing one “hooker” to Australia. “Surely the men across the Tasman have read up their records, and the arguments .that have raged over the proper composition ol’ a touring team. “When the 1921 Kangaroos came sailing home the manager handed out a list of recommendations 4for future tours, gleaned from their experiences. “Almost number one was the absolute necessity of including three halves and three ‘hookers’ in the future. “When the last bunch of hopping ’Hoos sailed away they had that number in each position, and they had not been long in the Old Country before they found that in the case of the ‘hooker,’ it was just as well that the heads hearkened unto the wise words of the previous managers. THEN THEY FORGOT AGAIN “The centre man in the scrum is in an unenviable possie. because he nas his hands tied, and at times he is considered to be fair game for any’ dirtvrninded chap on the other side. -- -...-

this in mind, the Enzeds/came across to Australia with bul one recognised ‘hooker.* Stephenson, and because he turned the scale nt over 14st, they thought he Mould be able to bear the brunt of the battle all through the tour. “But, no matter how big a man is

injury is always on the cards, and in his second game Stephenson sustained a nasty gash on the eye. and was out on Saturday. “That was fatal for New Zealand. “In the first New South Wales game the Blacks had a fair share of the ball, but from the word ‘go,* even before they played a man or two short in the scrums, Justice had it all over them, and wouldn't let them have a smell of the pigskin. “Kiwi form did not justify' the hope that they would have won under any conditions, but it. is certain that they wou d have put. over something better - . than the fearful dis-

Liia.il tue leanui uisplay’ they handed out on Saturday, if they had had a spare ‘booker’ to take Stephenson’s place. “By the same token they have only' one half, Abbott. in the side, and it does seem strange that in the two places where men get knocked about more than

auuui inuTti iuu.fi in any other, the tourists should have failed to send spare parts. “In the case of Abbott, no one wants to see any other man in his job, for he is a real star, but lie may strike a tough run, and one of the five-eighths may have to take his possie. “It’s too late to make amends this tour, but New Zealand should take a lesson for future tours from the fiasco of Saturday.”