WELL IN COMMAND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 July 1938, Page 5

WELL IN COMMAND

ALL BLACKS WIN EASILY IN FIRST TEST “IMMEASURABLY SUPERIOR SIDE." AUSTRALIANS OUTCLASSED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Copyright. x SYDNEY, July 24. Gaining complete command in the closing stages, New Zealand won the first Rugby Test on Saturday at the Cricket Ground by 24 points to 9, after leading B—3 at. half-time. The weather was sunny and the turf firm. The crowd number approximately 32,000. The game was a triumph of tactics. The merit of New Zealand’s victory was enhanced by the fact that their line was not crossed. It was a battle which lovers of Rugby enjoyed because of the tenseness, though, until the final stages, spectacular moves were rare and spasmodic. The wings of both sides had limited opportunities as the result of stern defence.

The “Sunday Sun” carries streamer headlines: “Australia Outclassed By All Blacks.” Greatorex declarred: “All the determination an/l courage in the world were of no avail against an immeasurably superior side, who bewildered the Australians by their speed, cohesion and science. I cannot visualise Australia beating this New Zealand combination in future matches.” The scorers were:

New Zealand: Saxton, two tries, Parkhill and Sullivan, one; Taylor, three goals and two penalty goals. Australia: Carpenter, three penalty goals. THE OPENING SCORE. The only try in the first half was due to Saxton’s genius. Australia had tightened their defence and the centres tackled infinitely better than New South Wales. The sideman had' instructions to smother the Berghan-Sullivan combination. A few minutes before the interval, from a scrum Oxlade broke yards away with the intention of covering Berghan. Richards and the threequarters were all strung out in defence. Saxton, securing, saw a wide opening, flashed through, and exchanged reverse passes with McKenzie. The defence was completely outwitted. New Zealand never had full chargeof the game until the closing stages, but were really never in danger because of the definite superiority and speed of the inside backs. Mitchell always showed cool generalship, frustrating Richards’s attempt to vary the attack. In the early stages Australia attempted passing, but Lewis and Hayes handled uncertainly. Richards then attempted dummying. He was persistently brought down in possession, occasionally running into a trap between the five-eighths and the forwards. Actually Richards had scant other recourse. The Australian centres were too slow to follow up his short kicks. Moreover, he had slow service from the scrums. Thus, by contrast; Saxton showed up as the best back on the field, though Sullivan also proved a champion. AN OPPORTUNITY SEIZED. The turning point in a hitherto dour struggle came when New Zealand was leading 11—6. For a period under continual pressure, Taylor had been compelled often to find touch. Receiving from Berghan, who had the opposing centres on the wrong foot, Sullivan swept toward the right corner, fending Howard. Faced by the full-back, Sullivan centred the ball with beautiful judgment. Parkhill gathered in his stride and crossed between the posts. Thereafter the Australian backs were outclassed as New Zealand opened up play. Saxton’s next try was a splendid illustration of typical All Black backing up. He used Morrison on the blind side, received the ball again and passed out to McKenzie, who reverse passed. A whole chain of transfers was snappily executed, and left the Australian backs standing. Sullivan’s, the last try, was of an opportunist character. It came when the Australian backs were obviously rattled. Rankin had a chance in his own twenty-five to kick clear. Instead, he chose to pass. Lewis, under pressure, miss-kicked, and the ball bounced high. Sullivan jumped, gathered overhead, sidestepped and had a clear passage between the posts.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GAME. New Zealand’s scoring movements were the highlights of a magnificent game, and satisfied the Australian public of the greatly improved New Zealand standard of back- play. The forwards, however, were equally superb, particularly as opposed to the splendid Australian pack, all of whom are grand ruckers. It was a match of many scrums, in which New Zealand gained a narrow majority of clear possession. Dalton, Quaid and George again gave a grand display, and never neglected their real duty. King was as good as any on the field. Quaid’s hooking was superior to that of the veteran Australian, Bonis. Bowman and Parkhill were botn splendid in the open, but Bowman erred in being a shade too loose. He often broke too quickly, and was occasionally off-side. McKenzie also pulled his weight throughout the intense battle. In the line-out New Zealand did not show the superiority of famous teams of the past. The Australians had skilled themselves to counteract New Zealand moves in this department. They generally jumped higher, though, with a comparatively weak back division, they were unable to take advantage of their possession. The Victorian. Kerr, the tallest man on the field, proved a distinct find. Anticipations that New Zealand will go through the tour unbeaten were encouraged by Saturday’s showing.