ALL BLACKS WIN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 August 1938, Page 5

ALL BLACKS WIN

THIRD TEST MATCH AGAINST AUSTRALIA SPEED & SKILL OF BACKS THE MAIN FACTOR. DICK PLAYS PROMINENTLY. By Telegraph —Press Association. Copyright. SYDNEY, Aug. 13. The All Blacks maintained their unbeaten record when they beat Australia in the third Test match today by 14 points to 6. The match never reached transcendant heights of either of the first two Tests, but the margin of victory was a true reflection of New Zealand’s superiority.

Again the speed and skill of the backs was -the main factor, as the forwards were evenly matched. Australia had equal possession from the set scrums and rucks, but the backs were not capable of capitalising their chances. New Zealand were slightly superior in the line-outs, although few of the movements had their source in this sphere. Australia were forced to make a lastminute change because of Carpehter having influenza. Hayes moved to centre and Clifford made his debut at full-back. He proved equally as sound as Rankin, showed more initiative and was cooler.

Australia, however, did not miss Carpenter as much as New Zealand missed Mitchell. The All Blacks’ captain would have inspired the back division, which throughout was jerky. Berghan and Dick stood head and shoulders above their comrades. Dick fully sustained his reputation. His elusive running and quick acceleration were one of the highlights of a disappointing match, although he was well marked by Kelaher.

Conditions may have ■ affected the All Blacks’ form. The weather was not cloudy, but the ground was like rock. The tackling was always up to a high standard. Where the New Zealand forwards excelled was with the ball on the ground, repeated dribbling rushes gaining much territory. By contrast, the Australian play was of a style which has come to be orthodox over here —“get the ball and get rid of it.” The crowd was disappointing, the official attendance being 20,430. Both teams took some time to settle into their stride, and the first score did not come until after ten minutes of scrappy play. Then Taylor kicked an easy penalty goal. The New Zealand forwards were responsible for the first try. After a dribbling rush, Parkhill picked up, but was brought down a foot from the goal line. From the resultant scrum Saxton streaked round the blind side for an easy try. The only other score in the first half was a penalty goal by Hayes. Just before the interval Taylor essayed a kick from two yards inside half-way. The ball struck the crossbar. The first movement after resumption put New Zealand in a safe position. It was a concerted attack between the forwards and the backs and took Australia by surprise. Dick raced along the touchline, passed in to Bowman, who crossed. Taylor converted with an excellent kick from a wide angle. Australia well deserved their try, which was mainly due to Hodgson’s magnificent work. Ramsay was the last to handle, and he tore his way through two tacklers and flung himself over the line. The only other score was a penalty goal by Taylor. Fifteen minutes before the end Ramalli was carried off on a stretcher with a fractured nose. He had been playing brilliantly, serving a mediocre five-eighth and centre. McDonald took his place at scrum-half. There was no score during Ramalli’s absence. New Zealand thoroughly deserves to have an unbeaten record. The backs were definitely first class and the forwards were evenly balanced, but the side lacked the personalities of some of their famous predecessors. ( Both sides showed signs of staleness. Scorers were: Saxton and Bowman scored tries for New Zealand. Taylor converted one try and kicked two penalty goals. Ramsay scored a try for Australia and Hayes kicked a penalty goal.

RATHER LISTLESS GAME ALL BLACKS CONTENT TO WIN MANY AUSTRALIANS ON LIST OF INJURED. (Recd This Day, 9.45 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. The “Herald” says the All Blacks on Saturday again proved their superiority over Australia. Although the game was hard, it was not an entertaining spectacle. The All Blacks seemed to be without the keenness and dash which characterised the early matches of the tour. They seemed to be content to win by sound, though unenterprising methods, in face of hard Australian tackling. Poor handling by the backs and several missed opportunities robbed Australia of its chances of snatching victory. While full credit must be given to the All Blacks for their unbeaten record, the home team has been handicapped by an extraordinary sequence of injuries throughout the series. For the last Test, no fewer than nine Test men were kept out through injuries or other reasons. In the .other Tests, also, many players were out through injuries. E. N. Greatorex, writing in the “Sunday Sun,” says: “The All Blacks were far too good for us. With that we say farewell to them. The kindest things that can be said of the Australians is that they tried, but for the most party they were like apprentices against proved tradesmen. On Saturday, Australia lost at least three chances of scoring tries in the first half and two after half-time. That was the difference between New Zealand and Australia. It has been noticeable in all the international games this season.”

MAORI TOURISTS. FIJIAN FIFTEEN DEFEATED. SUVA, Aug. 13. In the opening match of the tour the Maoris beat the second Fijian fifteen 14 —6. For the Maoris tries were scored by Steele (2), White and Matthews. One was converted. The Fijians scored two unconverted tries. The Maoris landed at 1 o’clock on the morning of the match, after a

rough trip, and this affected their play. They were superior in scrummaging and general tactics; but the speed of the Fijians was disconcerting, giving promise of a very close game in the first Test. The performance of the Fijians was surprisingly good and has created keen interest in the tour.

BRITISH TEAM. NORTHERN PROVINCES TOO GOOD. DURBAN, Aug. 13. The Northern Provinces beat the touring British Rugby team today, 26—8.