RUGBY LEAGUE TEST

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 219, 16 August 1937, Page 12

RUGBY LEAGUE TEST

NEW ZEALAND WIN. AUSTRALIANS BEATEN. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Aug. 14. A brilliant exhibition of the Rugby League code was witnessed by a crowd of 20,000 at Carlaw Park to-Uay when New Zealand, which was easily heat in the first Test, showed a surprising improvement to take the decision from the visiting Australian side by 16 points to 15. The game was played on a firm ground and in fine weather. Prior to the commencement of play the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) and the Minister of Finan/e (Hon. W. Nash) addressed the crowd through ampliers, both receiving a splendid reception from the spectators. Although the game was dominated by the flew Zealand team, whose pack played forceful, intelligent football, ■the glamour of victory was lessened by the fact that the Australians for the greater part of the time were playing two men short. At one stage the visitors had three men off the field with injuries. In attempting to tackle Nepia, the New Zealand full-back, in the first spell, Pearce, one of tho most brilliant Australian forwards, was thrown heavily and broke his leg. also had to retire with a severe injury to his thigh.

New Zealand owed its victory to tho superlative play of the forwards, who had tho measure of the opposing pack from the start. The firm conditions should have suited the visitors, but the last raiding New Zealand forwards, their initiative and good handling, threw tho visitors off their balance. The outstanding feature of the game was tho brilliant display by George Nepia, the famous full-back of the 1924 All Black Rugby team in England. Not an Australian passed him throughout the game, while his subtle tactical moves were of great assistance. Both to liis forwards and backs, although ho tired a trifle in tho second half, he proved himself a rock on defenco that the Australians would rather pass than attempt to beat him. His splendid line kicking got his sido out of difficulties on many occasions. „

Playing a typical Australian game, tho visiting backs threw the ball about in a fashion which delighted the crowd, bub tho fast raiding of the opposing forwards upset their moves at crucial moments. Pearce, Gibbs and Norman were the outstanding forwards for Australia, and when the first two had to leave tho field tho visitors’ pack lacked devil. One of the finest ’exhibitions of halfback play seen at Carlaw Park -was given by Williams, the . diminutive Australian player, who stood up to the onslaughts of the fast-moving and resourceful New Zealand forwards in a resolute manner and w r as responsible for most of tho visitors’ attacking movements. Norman and McLean were hard workers, but they .wero forced to submit to the fine tackling. New Zealand turned .out the finest League combination that has represented tho country for "many years. The presence of Nepia at full-back gave the remainder of the New Zealand sido a confidence which it has lacked in previous international fixtures.

Brodrick, a bulky and speedy forward, practically dominated the scrummage. A hard worker in the scrum and brilliant in the loose, lie carried an advantage over any opposing forwards. It was difficult to discriminate in the New Zealand vanguard, however, as all the players justified themselves. Cootes, Glynn and C;fult were particularly impressive. Davison, the New Zealand wing three-quarter, proved a resolute attacker, and Tittleton, Chase and Bickerton were outstanding for solid tackling. Tries were scored for New Zealand by Davison (2), Satherley and Bickerton. Nepia converted one try and kicked a brilliant penalty goal. McLean (2) and Nolan scored tries for the visitors, Williams converted one and Beaton and Williams kicked penalty goals.

THE INJURED MEN. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Aug. 15. Prompt medical attention ensured the continuance of the tour to England by the two Australian Rugby League representatives’ forwards, Sydney H. Pearce and James Gibbs, both . 26, who received fractures of the leg and ribs respectively in the Test match against the New, Zealand team at Carlaw Park on Saturday. Rushed to the Mater Misericordiae Hospital in ambulances, the injured players were able to leave with their team-mates on the Arawa for England. While running down the sideline to tackle the New Zealand full-back, George Nepia, Pearce fell heavily, being thrown over Nepia’s head as this player turned his back and sank quickly to the ground. As a result Pearce received a compound fracture of the left leg, which had to be set in plaster of paris. Only four hours elapsed between the time of the accident and his being driven back to the ship in the ambulance, which also supplied him with crutches. Gibbs received his injuries during heavy rucking, and an hour less was available in which ho could receive treatment. Nevertheless, after being securely bandaged, he was driven to the ship in a private motor-car.

CHRISTCHURCH RESULTS. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, 4*B- 14. In the Rugby League matches today Linwood beat Addington by 17 points to 16, and Hornby beat Waimairi by default.