BRILLIANT FOOTBALL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 July 1938, Page 5

BRILLIANT FOOTBALL

ALL BLACKS GRAND WIN IN OPENING MATCH OF TOUR MANY THRILLING MOVEMENTS By Telegraph—Press Association. Copyright. SYDNEY, July 17. The All Blacks opened their tour grandly with a win over New South Wales by 28 points to 8 today, and gave every indication that they will mould into a fine side unlikely to be beaten. The match was hard and clean, and there were many brilliant movements. The ground was on the soft side after over-night rain and a patch in the centre of the field was slightly slippery. New South Wales repeatedly won the scrums in the early stages, but were unable to penetrate. Rankin missed a goal from almost in front of the posts. Morrison opened the scoring after 15 minutes with a beautiful try, due to Mitchell’s opening. Taylor kicked the goal. The New Zealand forwards were superior in the rucks and faster in the loose, and only a stout defence kept them out. From a ruck in the New South Wales twenty-five, Sullivan sent out a long pass to Mitchell, who, swerving and fending, cut through the centres and crossed for a try. Sullivan scored the next try from an opening by Berghan, and Taylor converted. The try by Parkhill a few minutes before the interval was the most glorious of the match. Seven men handled the ball, which, in a reverse passing movement, finally came in from Morrison to King and then to Parkhill, who scored. At half-time New Zealand led, 18-0. New South Wales rallied brilliantly in the second spell. Malone’s try was nearly as spectacular as Parkhill’s, the backs and forwards handling after Richards burst through. Morrison once saved a certain try, racing across from the left wing to ground Hodgson, who had swerved past Taylor. Morrison’s tackle was only a yard from the line. Invariably Sullivan or Mitchell straightened up the attack with penetrative bursts. The home centres, Smith and Miller, were too slow and inexperienced. Saxton gave magnicent diving passes and Berghan was almost flawless. Sullivan and Mitchell were brilliant. Both were much faster than their opposing centres. Mitchell was the inspiring agent in all the moves. Taylor was safe. It is hard to single out any of the New Zealand forwards for praise. All were conscientious ruckers. Dalton Quaid and George more than held their own in the front row. King and McKenzie were excellent in the open. For Australia, Hodgson was übiquitous and appeared the best forward on the field.- Richards was always adventurous, but was overworked in cover defence. Rankin was cool and not responsible - for New Zealand’s tries.

The New Zealand forwards packed splendidly and were much superior to their The pack was evenly balanced and, except in the first 20 minutes, when New South Wales preponderated in the scrums. Despite New Zealand’s dominance and safe lead, the crowd of over 25,000 was thrilled by the spectacular moves. Scorers: For New Zealand —Morrison, Mitchell (2), Sullivan (2) and Parkhill. Taylor kicked five goals. For New South Wales —Malone scored a try. Rankin converted and kicked a penalty goal. SPARKLING PLAY TEAM GETS ENTHUSIASTIC PRAISE. ' AS GOOD AS ANY SENT SINCE THE WAR. (Recd This Day, 10.25 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. The “Sydney Morning Herald” says: “Driving their way through a woefully weak defence, the All Blacks played sparkling football to beat New South Wales. Some of the moves initiated by the All Blacks’ inside backs would have nonplussed the best of defenders. The best of the New South Wales men whose duty it was to stop them were helpless. The dramatic thrusts of Berghan, Sullivan, Mitchell and Morrison, nearly always started by a bullet-like pass from Saxton, stirred the crowd to enthusiasm. Mitchell is the most dazzling three-quar-ter who has trodden an Australian field for many a day.” Sid King, writing in the “Daily Telegraph,” says the secret of the All Blacks’ success was the superlative speed of the inside backs and their team work.

E. N. Greatorex, writing in the “Sunday Sun,” says: “The amazing thing to many who saw the game was how supposedly good judges in New Zealand should have shaken their heads about this team. Experts after the game were saying that the team is as good as any other New Zealand has sent over since the war. Most of those who saw the game probably left with the impression that the All Blacks will have no trouble in winning the Tests.”

FIRST TEST. THE AUSTRALIAN TEAM. SYDNEY, July 17. The Australian team to meet the All Blacks on Saturday is:— Rankin (New South Wales). Carpenter (Victoria). Lewis (Queensland). Hayes (Queensland). Howard (Queensland).

Richards (New South Wales). Stone (New South Wales). Malone (New South Wales). Bonis (Queensland). Ramsay (New South Wales). Wilson (Queensland), captain. Hutchinson (New South Wales) Hodgson (New South Wales). Kerr (Victoria). Oxlade (Queensland).