HIGHLIGHTS OF GAME

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20254, 24 July 1937, Page 8

HIGHLIGHTS OF GAME

GROUND IN HEAVY STATE. CROWD OF OVER 46,000. AUCKLAND FORWARDS SHINE. (By Telegraph—Special Reporter.) AUCKLAND, Saturday. The sun was breaking fitfully through leaden skies and conditions underfoot were heavy when the Springboks made their bow to New Zealand Rugby enthusiasts at Eden Park this afternoon. The ground was packed to capacity. The ten aces were black with people' before 10 o’clock and from then on till after 2 p.m. there was a continual stream flooding into the ground. There were plenty of incidents among the crowd on the terraces, free lights and pie throwing being frequent. The curtain-raisers were bright and whetted the appetite of the pifblic. Sacred Heart College defeated Stratford High School by 23 points to nfl and Auckland (second division) beat Kaipara by 20 points to nil. The crowd was estimated before the start | at easily 45,000. | Auckland defeated South Auckland . —lO in a fast, bright curtainI . aiser.

The Africans received a tremendous welcome as Nel led the big team on to the field five minutes late, the i ovation lasting for several minutes. I Auckland was the first team on and the Springboks looked every bit of their stone heavier all round as they took their places. Packing very low, the Africans had no trouble in hooking the first scrum. I Harris showed speed and penetration | in one fine dash, but there was lack j of cohesion between Craven and Har- ■ I Pis, spoiling many movements. I It was torrid going in the forwards | with the lighter pack holding the!f I own well. Thrill followed thrill as i Killeen stab-kicked cleverly and Williams regained the ground with a fine, penetrating run, Hadley swinging on his outsides, who were getting the ball now and again.

Forwards Surprisingly Fast. D. Solomon tackled high early but later he and Killeen kept the Springboks quiet with good, low tackling. Babrow’s try was a gem. He cut In nioely, swerved out and changed direction again to run over 30 yards and touch down under the posts. Slight rain was falling at this stage and the visitors were using their weight more and collapsing Auckland's scrums. The visitors had surprising speed in the backs and were on top of the Auckland backs very smartly. They exploited short passing between the forwards and when on defence the backs kicked for the line all the time. Craven showed how to pass smartly from the scrum, his diving pass pleasing the crowd. Harris, White and Babrow impressed in the Springboks’ back line, while the forwards were surprisingly fast for their size. Llne-out Superiority. The Springboks had wide superiority In the line-outs, winning 10 to Auckland’s 5 but the scrums were much more even than anticipated, me visitors’ advantage being very small. The Auckland forwards played magnificently and the visitors did not appear unbeatable in this division on lheir showing. History repeated itself when the half-time score, s—o, was the same as in the 1921 tour in the match against Auckland. Tt was noticeable that when a Springbok player received a ball in the line-out he threw it cleanly back immediately while the Aucklanders went into the pack, turned and then threw the ball back. Harris, who had shown guile and speed but who was handicapped by a misunderstanding between him and lusly/ Lotz and “ Boy ” Louw gave a fTne I exhibition of dribbling. 1 Killeen and Prentice were conspicu--1 ous Auckland backs and Pepper, Pearce i and F. Solomon were the best for- ; wards. Bush was safe as fullback but often failed to find the line. Immaculate and debonair, Brand never failed to And cover, saving his forwards. AUCKLAND THE MECCA. HUGE CROWDS ASSEMBLE.

ALL BLACK SELECTORS THERE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Saturday. The weather is fine but mostly overcast for the Rugby match between the Springboks and Auckland and with a dry ground and ball a great game is anticipated. Both teams are fit. The ilrst enthusiast arrived at the Gates of Eden Park at 3 a.m. and by 10 a.m. the terraces were packed by 10.000 people. The crowd in the city was swelled by the arrival of nine special trains and two ordinary expresses, while all the roads carried heavy motor traffic. Among the. spectators at the match will be the New Zealand selectors with eyes on the test team. To preserve their freshness the Springboks were taken on a drive in a charabanc this morning. They returned shortly after midday and left their hotel for Eden Park at 1.45 p.m.