BED FOR VICTORY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18241, 27 November 1924, Page 14

BED FOR VICTORY.

WALES IN HARD TRAINING.

REFEREE FROM THE NORTH.

f»T CASLZ—P3IIS3 ASSOCIATIOX—corraiow) (inemiTTlT AJTD K.Z. CABLX ASSOCIATION.)

LONDON, November 25

It is reported that MajcT Bninton, of Northumberland, has been chosen to referee for the New 2oaland-"V\ ales match. A certain amount of mystery apparently attaches to the selection of 3lajor Bninton. who presumably was chosen by the English Union unknown to Wales.

As an aftermath to the excitement of Saturday's match, Captain Burge, when kaviner the ground, was kicked in the leg by a spectator who escaped in the cr-.-vd. Burse is still lame. The Welsh team is making unprecedented efforts to 6ecure victory, having undergone of special preparation. The whole time until Saturday will be devcted to training. WORSE THAN EVER. THE CHESHIRE MATCH. (wEirrzN 70a "the pbkss.") (By A. H. Carman.) Although the 192-1 All Blacks have not yet suffered defeat, that fact is due more to good luck than to good management, and this latest match illustrates the point far moro than any of the others have done. The exhibition against Cheshire was hardly worthy of a junior side, and of the few good players two at least were on the opposing side. On the Friday there were glaring placards round Liverpool bearing the words, "All Blacks' Poisoning Sensation," and many people thought there was something serious. It is true that a number of the party were ill and bilious, but it was nothing serious, and the rumour was promptly denied. The team that took the field, however, was not as previously chosen, and J. H. Parker, who had played great football at Birmingham!, was too ill to play, so his place was taken by Porter. On paper the back, division looked weak, and it played a very poor game. Mill was too often breaking away on his own, and, anyway, he always gives his passes too slowly. McGregor played fairly well, but showed very little initiative. The inclusion of a coach in the team would have made a wonderful difference of players like McGregor; but as it is, there is no one in the team capable of giving advice, and these young players are passing through the best school without being taught the finer points. One cannot expect these men to do anything extra when they are left so much to their own devices. Paewai, at second five-eighths, was "rotten," and was continually knocking-on or mulling passes. He is about the weakest man in the team, and his play so far has made one,; wonder how he ever even managed to get selected for Hawke'a Bay. Brown made few mistakes at centre, but did nothing above the ordinary. Steel was the best of the backs', and put in a tremendous amount of work on defence. Had he received the opportunities that' went to the other wing, he would have scored quite as easily. Hart, in scoring four tries, did well, but he had, no opposition, and the play was purposely made in his direction. Hart is useless where brains are' needed, but is always willing and tries hard. His handling was perfect, and his running excellent, but he is nothing more than a sprinter who can take a pass. Nepia again played well, and is proving himself able to meet all needs. He is extra good at picking up the ball from among the feet of advancing forwards and clearing safely. Gracie, the Scotch International captain, played a great game for Cheshire, and if wo wero to meet a team of Gracies at the present time the score would not be in our favour. Locke, an English International, also played well, and his try was a great effort, but was only made possible through the weak attempts made to tackle him by at least six All Blacks. One notices a tendency now to tackle high, and also our men are easily drawn out of position. The'forwards wero overshadowed by the local men, but the hooking showed a slight further improvement. The ball is now getting out our end of the scrum quite frequently! Munro, who is the best hooker, will, unfortunately, be on tho injured list for a month or so, but the hooking has been better since 'McCleary has been included. Masters now seems to be locking the scrum fairly well, and I think they are all packing hotter. Porter played very well, and was a tower of strength on defence, but a more experienced player would havo done better as captain. The team want a man who can work out tactics both on and off the field, and who can carry those tactics out, but there is no one in tho team with the necessary experience. Porter does his best, and is playing really well, but it is unfortunate he has had so little experience. The game was largely in Cheshire's favour in the first spell, and only strong defence kept them out,,but we ran away with the game early in the second half, although Cheshire played up towards the finish. Some of the local critics said Cheshire were unlucky to lose, but it must bo remembered that although they had the best of tho play they seldom looked really dangerous, and missed many chances, whilst the All Blacks scored from ovory possible opening. Our quickness to seize openings, and our tenacity on defence, are our strongest attributes. But are they enough for a touring team ? : With more of the ball and first-class coaching this team could do.as well as the 1905 team, and yet every game we fire wondering whether we will win or lose, and feel thankful when the game is over; but wo wonder how long it will last.

[The All Black team against Cheshire was: Ncpia, Steel, Brown, Hart; Paewni, McGregor; Mill, Porter; Stewart, West, C. Brownlie, Masters, Richardson, McCleary, Irvine. New Zealand won by 18 points to 5. Tries were scored by Hart (4), Porter, and Steel, none being converted.]