SPRINGBOKS WIN

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 201, 26 July 1937, Page 9

SPRINGBOKS WIN

AUCKLAND BEATEN 19—5. TREMENDOUS INTEREST TAKEN. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, July 24. The Springboks commenced their New Zealand tour auspiciously by beating Auckland at Eden Park this afternoon by 19 points to 5. The visitors scored five tries, two converted, to one converted try. The attendance was estimated at 40,000. The tremendous interest which the game created was shown by the fact that eight special trains arrived from Wellington, Taranaki and other parts of the North Island. Hundreds of spectators, including many women, were outside the gates at n.n early hour to gain admission. The weather was dull and overcast with a light and cold westerly breeze blowing. The ground was holding following recent rains but, apart from an occasional slight shower, the game was played in fo.ir condition. FIRST 10 MINUTES.

The first 10 minutau indicated that the game would bo limited to a contest octween the forwards. The South African pack was superior in line-out work.' Regarding gaining possession from the scrums, in which tile Springboks held only a slight advantage, a feature was the lightning rapidity with which the hall was delivered from hall-back to stand-off half. This occasionally resulted in this player being unable to field the ball accurately. Territorially the Springboks had the better of the first spell, but their only score came after 20 minutes’ play. The speed with which the game was played created many thrills, and only sound tackling by several of the Auckland backs, Dyerley on the wing in particular, prevented the speedy South African wingers from reaching their objective. The South African backs moved up fast to tackle their opponents when they were in possession or the ball. There were no “beg pardons about the manner in which they tackled the Aucklanders being grounded heavily throughout. Another fine feature of the South Africa.u back play was their backing up and recoverywork. The visiting wingmen scored two spectacular tries, hut the others were definitely gifts as the result of weak defence." After the second spell was halfway through, Auckland made a great rally and, alter l 1 rankliam had scored by the poets and Bush converted, the score was 13 points to o. HEAVIER springboks.

The Auckland forwards held their own against their heavier opponents, and played a very fine game. They must have given confidence to the supporters of the New Zealand team for the coming tests. It was no fault of theirs that the team lost, and Auckland’s defeat by such a margin can be attributed to weak defence, particularly by Killeen, Prentice and Bush. Tl»e game was cleanly contested throughout apart from 10 minutes after Auckland scored its try. Then incidents among the forwards occurred, particularly flying fists, and the referee held up the match for a few seconds to speak to the forwards. Auckland won the toss, and Babrow, the Springbok centre? kicked off. The South African backs immediately swung into action and, following a smart dash by Harris, the Auckland forwards infringed, but Brand missed a rather ensy kick two minutes after the commencement. After a sample of the Springboks’ great forward strength, Auckland broke away in a brilliant attack as the result of fine play by Dick on the wing and Anderson in tiie forwards. The first thrill of the match came from a spectacular 40 yards sprint by Williams on the wing, but the defence held. The Springboks were constantly on the attack with fast, open back rushes, and Auckland were penned in their own territory, only dour defence preventing tries. After 10 minutes’ play Brand took a drop-kick from a penalty, but the ball fell short, and tho Auckland backs returned play to the half-way mark. At this stage Pearce, who had been leading the Auckland forwards in great style, received a head injury, and Auckland continued with 14 men for several minutes. The crowd wildly cheered a fine Auckland back attack. Killeen finding a gap with a clever stab kick, and Byerley throwing Brand into touch 10 yards from the Springbok line. This was but a brief respite, however, and, following an attempt bv D. Solomon to cut through, the Springbok backs rushed play back to Auckland’s twenty-five. The Auckland pack, although outweighed, was securing almost an equal share from the serums, and was bustling tho opposition with fiery and aggressive loose rushes. Frankham placed his side on the attack with a brilliant clearance from a ruck, hut Brand, in bis safe and neat style, forced easily. The South Africans opened the scoring after 20 minutes’ play. Killeen ran out of his position ami Babrow, one of the mdfct impressive of the visiting backs, flashed straight, through the defence to score between the posts. Brand converted. Springboks' 5, Auckland nil. VISITORS ON TOP. The visitors now began to dominate the game. From the kick-off Jennings broke through from a loose scrummage” and nearly all the forwards handled before Bester, on the wing, secured, only to be beautifully lowered by. Prentice, and Auckland cleared momentarily. Instead of playing the dour forward game for which they are noted, the Springboks were giving their racing backs every opportunity, and gave the crowd constant thrills. Just before half-time Auckland lost a golden opportunity when the centre elected to kick when Dick, on the wing, had a clear run. Brand found the line and half-time was called. PENALTY MISSES.

Within a minute of the recommencement Auckland were awarded a penalty, but Bush missed. The Springbok backs used the line effectively when pressed, and all the backs proved adept at these tactics. Auckland had started the second spell with great vim, and the forwards were led brilliantly by Pepper and Pearce, while Handley was hooking in fine style. However, after 10 minutes’ play, the Springboks backs went away with a great passing rush started by the brilliant Harris. A green line swept down to tile Auckland line and Williams flashed across at the corner. Brand missed. Springboks 8, Auckland 0. Brand, who was having an off day with his goal-kicking, missed a further penalty from an easy position. A minute later, however, a beautiful centre from Williams saw the Springbok forwards surge across the line to heat Bush for Martin to score. Brand converted. Springboks Id, Auckland °' magnificent effort. Then followed one of Ihe thrills of the day. A magnificent combined effort between Frankham and Byerley down the sideline took play right to the Springboks’ line, and the crowd cheered as Auckland hammered away at its opponents’ line. The spectators were greatly thrilled ns Frankham eventually went over beside the posts for Bush to convert.. Springboks 13, Auckland 5.

The Springboks were quick to reply, however, scoring the most clever try of the match as a result of a brilliant reverse pass by Harris which culminated in Babrow scoring his second try. Brand missed. Springboks IG, Auckland 6. , Auckland was now well on the defensive and after Brand had failed with a great left-foot “pot” from well out, a thrilling passing rush saw Bester score the final try of the match after a splendid opening by Babrow. Brand missed. „ , Auckland made a last-imnute eftort and Byerley was almost across after a fine dash as the final whistle sounded with the score: Springboks ID, Auckland 5.

“GOOD ALL-ROUND SIDE.” AUCKLAND CAPTAIN’S VIEW. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND. July 25. “The Springboks impressed me as beinc; a very good all-round side,” comliiented B. A. Killeen, tho Auckland captain, “and I am strongly of the opinion that they ale probably a tar better team than they arc appeared today. The outstanding feature of their game was their splendid team-work, particularly in backing up and in elevei in-passing among the backs, taken as a whole, however, I think that they are more solid than brilliant. “The game for the most part was exceptionally clean, although there were a number of hard rallies among the forwards. Individually, I consider that the Auckland players held the visitors well, and the difference between the teams on the day’s play was that of combination. The Springboks have developed a fine team understanding as the result of their Australian tour, while the Auckland side had not previously played together. Unlike typical Springboks sides, they surprised me by their policy of feeding their back line at almost, every opportunity, particularly their j very capalilc and paey wingers. Jf they | continue to play this type of football m New Zealand they should be one of the most popular teams yet to have visited the Dominion.” . . ~ Killeen was greatly impressed by the play of Babrow, one of the centres, whom lie considered would prove one of the stars of the side. Commenting on the individual performances of the Auckland players, Killeen was enthusiastic about the fine display given by Hull, the lock forward, whom lie selected as the best all-round member ot the pnfik. Pepper and Pearce also played with great “devil,” while Hadlev, considering the lock of weight behind him. had hooked splendidly. Franklinni „ave a typically sound and solid display behind the scrum, while Byerley and Dick, on the wings, played great games. Asked for his opinion of the prospects of the All Blacks against the visitors, Killeen considered that New Zealand could field pln.vers every lnt the equal of the Springboks. Ihe All Black pack would certainly be able to hold its own. “New Zealand has backs just as fast and brilliant as the Springboks, and I expect them to test the visitors severely,’ he said. Although the Springboks displayed undoubted attacking ability, there was not the brilliant constructive ability among the inside backs which a Zealand team is likely to display. “HAD TO SHOW OUR BEST.” NEL SEES STRENUOUS TOUR. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, July 25. “It was a particularly hard and clean game,” stated P. J. Nel, Springbok captain, after the match, “and we had to show our best form in all departments to win. “I was most impressed by the splendid play of your forwards, and if this iii any indication of the standard or Rugby football in this country, our New Zealand tour is going to be very much more strenuous than I anticipated. I anticipate your soft grounds giving our players some trouble for some time, and we may have difficulty in adapting ourselves to different conditions. In South Africa wc are used to hard and fast grounds which, of course, affects our style of play.” Nel paid a tribute to the wonderful enthusiasm of the- crowd for a city with such a comparatively small population. He was agreeably surprised by the great attendance. In pointing out the fine Rugby atmosphere which was created, Nel was strongly of the opinion that this was a very necessary factor in the success of any match, both from the players’ and the spectators’ point of view. BIG GATE TAKINGS. Although the figures have not yet been checked, more than £4OOO ‘was taken in gate money at Auckland for tho Springbok match, .representing an estimated crowd of 38,000. A remarkable traffic control scheme worked with the utmost smoothness, there being a complete absence of traffic accidents. Thirty-five persons collapsed temporarily among the crowd at various times. They were attended by ambulance officers. One was taken to hospital, but was later discharged. RUGBY UNION DINNER. Members of the South African and Auckland Rugby teams were entertained at dinner on Saturday evening. Mr H. Frost, president of the Auckland Rugby Union, presided. 11l proposing the toast of the South African team, Mr Frost said it was pleasing to have seen that afternoon the visitors playing Rugby for the sake of the game. “Your welcome to our team has been typical of those we lwul in Australia, and we have taken a fancy to Auckland,” said Mr A. de Villiers in reply. “IV-3 are pleased with our victory, .as we have started the tour on ngnt lines I have been told that Auckland has not held the Ranfurly Shield for vears, and if that is the case, then I can say God help us in some or oui future matches.” The toast of the Auckland team was proposed by P. J. Nel, captain of the Springbok side. He congratulated the Auckland team on the excellent game it had played. “We were extended to the full. It was the type of game we like to play. If we have more like it we shall have a better opportunity of getting fit. We realise that our games in New Zealand are going to be very strenuous, and we realise ive shall have to put our best foot forward on all occasions.’ 13. A. Killeen, captain of the Auckland fifteen, said he hnd been very much impressed with the team work of the South African side. The visitors had great attacking ability, especially in the backs, while their tackling was very solid. Ho congratulated tho Springboks upon the wonderful sporting ma.nner in which they had played the game. D. Craven proposed the toast ot “The Referee.” He created amusement when he said that they hnd received information that they would have 10 points against them before they started when they hod New Zealand referees to contend with. “I am happy to be able to say that such was no,t the case this afternoon. Mr Thompson was most impartial. There may have been some things he overlooked, but these tended to speed up the game. If any referee makes a mistake it should lie forgotten the moment the game is over.”