THE N.Z. FOOTBALL TEAM.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 254, 24 October 1905, Page 4

THE N.Z. FOOTBALL TEAM.

PRAISE OF ENGLISH PRESS.

PLAY SUPERIOR TO EKGUsr.

(By Cable.—Press Assoctatlon._Copjr_.gt,

SYDNEY, October 23 To-day's English mail brings -nresa comments on the first 'twoTfooE matches played by the New Zealanderv On the Devon match the "Daily Mail" says: "The New Zealanders' dash and fire reminded one of the best Irish teams while their in-and-out passing and backing up was in the best Welsh style" The "Daily Express" says: -"Apart from the wing forward, there is• little of nothing in the play of New Zealand to which a purist could take exception The forwards packed like Welshmen, aid in the loose and line-out were quite up to the Irish standard. Their dash was immense, and in only two respects were they at all disappointing—they broke _5" rather slowly, and their tackling' was none too sure." , ..:'.:; The "Daily Chronicle'? saysi '"Devon to put the matter mildly, completely lost their heads and hearts';' they displayed neither pluck nor resource. In popular language, they simply lay down and'let the New Zealanders walk overthem* Commenting on the wing forward}-th* writer says: "He is such an irritating person, and playß such a decidedly unlawful game from bur point of view," that his prudence" in wearing guards may be commended. The winger showed fine scorn of certain sections of rule 11. If he had met his deserts he would have been penalised into ineffectiveness. For the rest, the New Zealanders are a splendid side. The forwards have robust, dashing methddß in the loose, and pack splendidly, and their backs are all fast and clever. A pleasing feature is the strong individuality of the backs ia running." *

Referring to the Cornwall match the "Daily Mail" says: "The New Z-aland-ers' success was due to tactics as intelligent as they are original, and superior in every way to anything witnessed in English football. Backed up as they are with running, passing and kicking of the highest class*, it is indeed, difficult to. say what British team wiil check' their glorious career. As a factor in the attacking abilities of the team, the wingforward is of undoubted value, if only for the fact that he is an extra man outside the scrum. To this and the admirable wedge formation in a large mean sure their success was';due."

COMFI-DCENTS FROM " THB TIMES.-'

(Received 8.48 a .in.)

SYDNEY, this day.

"The Times/ in commenting oh the New Zealand footballers, says that they have gained a remarkable victory over Devon. So unequal were the sides that no score would proportionately set out the overwhelming superiority possessed by the New Zealanders in pace and i-ldlL •The wing-forward position," adds "Tha Times," "is, however, a startling innovation, and his position imperils his team under the* off-side rule, and much trouble may be expected in future matches if v his work is conducted on the same linn as in the Devon match." '"•■■•' f » The "Daily Telegraph" (London)states that in the startling triumph achieved by the New Zealanders in their",ievening match the prestige of Devon football received a severe blow. That the visitor, would probably win was expected, but no one was prepared for tbe utter rout at all points. The visitors are clearly superior, and were in ho way flattered by the score, heavy as it was. The New Zealanders, who physically are a fine set. of men, set about their task in a workmanlike manner, and nad their opponents demoralised, with astonishing rapidity. Quite the best feature of the New Zealanders' play was, the work of their seven, forwards, who were _nore than a match for their opponents'; eight. The: paperadds that the English team should ht compelled, in self-defence, to; "play; "a winger," though the game from.a spectacular point of view was not likely to _• improved - •-..- - -•• -.•.->..-•■■.