THE "AIL BLACKS" AVENGED.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 95, 21 April 1906, Page 12

THE "AIL BLACKS" AVENGED.

After defeating in succession New Zealand, England and Scotland, the Welsh Rugby 15 were themselves beaten at Belfast on Saturday by Ireland. The team which the "All Blacks" defeated by 15 points to nil triumphed in turn over the Welshmen by 11 points to 6 —a goal and two tries to two tries. The result makes one more than ever convinced that the "All Blacks" in their true form would never have been beaten at Cardiff. Had they played the Welshmen anywhere else than on the latter's own ground, their form would have been very different. It was the intense excitement that prevailed at Cardiff, and the almost uncanny influence, of that vast assemblage of Welsh supporters, which led to the New Zealanders' undoing. On the other hand Wales never seem to be so formidable when away from home as they are bn their own ground, surrounded by their own people. And if there is one international team that absolutely declines to be overawed by the WelsK reputation, it is Ireland. On Saturday the successful team'played a typical Irish game, scrummaging hard, working with great dash and effect in the loose, and tackling with splendid vigour and accuracy. They scored within three minutes of the kick off, and they never allowed the Welshmen to get on level terms again, notwithstanding that Ireland lost one of their halfbacks before the interval and the other about ten before theclose, having thus to play the later stages of the game with only 13 men. Such fine determination, however, characterised their efforts that, even when there were only six forwards left to oppose the Welsh eight, Ireland kept the game well in their opponents' half. The Welshmen were fairly "rushed: , * and that ia a state o< things by no means to the Welsh taate. Their backs do not shine at going down to-these wild Irish onslaughts. Unquestionably the Iri«h forwards dominated tha gwvyd whjla all wosk*d!

excelled. Cfcdd.tt J*s proved quite a S^^* er, when called upon to flpv caused by Pardon's plenty of -resource,,if,not^N: much *o*i ß three-quarters" showed glimpses that was all/ F. cSfr-* blundering. Still, all and.tackled sure^while distinct success on the lefHrtr, * *** * Thrift accomplished the of the whole match, j.ji W not specially ' his great weakness kicking against the wind. Iff speedy following-up andsurfSt -* ous tackling of the Irishmen three-quarter line never settle I*» 7 real excellence. Every one of tS£ men accomplished some clever yet the blunders were man? &> giving and in taking passes wisr ;?? whole, the form fcf pectations. Owen worked the mage deverly but H A. Gibbs reSj" ly failed, and in the second"halflTT Maddocks came in as aeeond tallM , Gibbs falling back to the three-oS line. H. B. Winfield might pS have prevented the opening try' «?P land, but he led up to the first Wales and his kicking frequentf.-2 his side out of The Weto forwards lost their superiority trolling the ball as the game progresag* and they were palpably inferior'iTSopen, but they accomplished fair wotfc A. F. Harding, J. Hodges and F. : p being as prominent as any. Unhapriw the injuries to the Irish half-bieisijrqi' ed of a serious description, Y(. B. tearing the ligaments of his knee' lefty and E. l>. Caddell fracturing just above the ankle. Puidon, after accident, was able to remaj|n : an* wftSi the game, but Caddell had to be tifc® to the hospital. In spite these "§ecidents, the match waa fought but'"in a fair spirit. A good'deal of fallen in Belfast, but the turf pnmd to be in very fair otder, the ejiily advirte condition, consisting in a" strong ~|jree» which blew down the field; and faTsend Wales in the opening half. -4 Both crnftries reverted to the system ; 'of : «gii; forwards and seven backsJ T ir EKis s is Wales' first defeat in two years. SheuM Scotland defeat England to-day, aa,se«M more than likelyj. Wales. Seotlatid and. Ireland will tie for the champioßehro with two "wins apiece, and' one . itittt. "Poor old England," as usual,"takee'tlif wooden spoon. •