FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 58, 8 March 1913, Page 16

FOOTBALL.

P. Sheehan. who captained the Otago team last year, has gone to Fiji. A Dunedin writer suggests that he should raise a team of "(All Blacks" to invade Xew Zealand.

Two seasons ago the Xew Zealand Rugby Union were in communication with the South African Rugby Union relative to a representative South African Rugby team visiting New Zealand. The reply was received that the South African Rugby Union had contracted to send a team to England and that the matter of a Xew Zealand visit would have to stand over in the meantime. The Xew Zealand Rugby Cnion should again get into communication with South Africa and endeavour to arrange either for a visit of a South African team to Xew Zealand or the acceptance of a Xew Zealand team to tour South Africa, suggests "Fullback" in the "Witness." in this connection a cable appeared in the Xew Zealand Press from Sydney the other day stating that the s=outh Africans would send a team to New Zealand. I marvelled at the authority for this statement, and wondered that it should come through Sydney. The other day 1 discovered the source of the information, and learned that the only authority for the statement that the South Africans would visit Xew Zealand was a comment made in a Capetown .paper .to the effect: "It will be some years before another team goes on tour.' It is more than likely that our next journey will be to a sister colony. Xew Zealand, for they have invited us there."'

After IS years of defeat in Wales, occasionally of a humiliating character, the English Fifteen triumphed decisively on Saturday last (January 18). and for the first time at Cardiff, too (wrote "Ixion" in the London "Sportsman"). The score was 12 points to nil. Success was all the more refreshing because it was unexpected. Cardiff Arms Park, the burying ground of many an English, Scottish, and Irish national side, was once more very much on the soft side. Before the match plenty of rain had fallen, and the conditions generally were considered to favour Wales, who are more accustomed to mud-larking than the great majority of the English fifteen. The Welsh forwards scrummaged earnestly, and the Welsh hacks enjoyed a good share of the ball that rapidly became slippery and greasy. But they were not quick, and they were not sure, except in their kicking, and they were worried by the quick breaking up and skirmishing of the English pack, in which Pillman was ever prominent. Quite early on, too, it was seen that the Welsh forwards were no match for their opponents in the loose, and it was dribbling, rushing, and kicking on the day which proved the most effective forms of attack. The second half saw Wales -well beaten. In less than live minutes Pillman'organised another burst which was checked with considerable difficulty inside the Welsh "25." From the scrum the ball slithered out, Davies collected, and threw a long pass, missrn<» Poulton and Steinthal, which felLinto the hands of Coates. He promptly handed off Plummer and rushed over a try, which Greenwood converted finely. The whole movement, starting from Pillman's dash, was admirably executed; it pleased the crowd immensely. Having obtained the lead the Englishmen played better than ever. Wales made a few raids which were safely repelled. Their backs did not shine. The centres made mistakes, and the whole division met stronger and faster men. Above all. they dreaded the English foot rushes, re^ plete as they were with verve and pace. The Englishmen adapted themselves better to the conditions than the Welshmen, and their speed both in attack and defence was a decisive factor. The Welsh forwards were nothing like so smart with their feet as the English. Really the English pack was excellent from first to last. The backs, too, more than held their own. They were much better than the Welsh lot in defence, and when opportunity served they scored. The Welsh centres were not a strong pair, and in consequence the wings got few openings.