CABLE NEWS. [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.—COPYRIGHT.] THE NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALL TEAM.

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 142, 18 December 1905, Page 7

CABLE NEWS. [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.—COPYRIGHT.] THE NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALL TEAM.

MATCH AGAINST WALES. THE COLONIALS DEFEATED. THREE POINTS TO NIL. DRESS ASSOCIATION.] LONDON, 16th December.

After a long, victorious touv, in the course of which they proved them&olves superior to Scottish, Irish, and English teams, the New Zealanders 10-day received their first check, being defeated by Wales by 3 points to nil. The weather was fine and the ground in good condition. The game was finally cuntc&ti-d from start to fini&li, and the result was greeted with tremendous enthusiasm by the fovty thousand spectators present. Wales had a strong team, including such well-known players as Nichojls, Gabo, Llewellyn, Hodges, and Harding. Seven forwards were played, with Pritchard as roving three-quarter. The New Zealand team was as follows : — Gillett, Wallace, Detuis, M'Gregor, Hunter, Mynott, Roberts, Casey, Tyler, O'Sullivau, Xewton, Glasgow,' Seeling, M'Donaid, and Gallaher. The game for the first quarter of an hour was greatly in favour of Wales, it being mostly forward work. Once the forwards succeeded in crossing the New Zealanderi' line, but the latter kicked the ball into dead territory. When the leather was in play again, the game became more open. The Welsh backs made a strong attack, and Morgan scored a try after play had been in progress twentyseven minutes. Winfield took the shot at goal, but failed to couveit — Wales 3 New Zealand 0 From this out to the end of halftime the Xew Zealxnd team made desperate efforts to score, but failed to break through the splendid stubborn defence of the Welshmen. For a time after the opening of the second spell the play was confined to midfield, in -which the vibitors did not appear to the best advantage. Several of Roberto's passes were badly missed by the three-quarters, and Wales nearly scored a further try, but Morgan kicked the ball into dead aiea. When play was set going again, Roberts broke away and passed to Wallace. The latter was pushed into touch a yard from the Welsh goal-line. Rushes again carried play to the centre, and from there the Xew Zealand three-quarters, by brilliant passing, carried the ball to right under the goalposts. Budi, however, relieved by a long kick into touch. The concluding stages of the game produced exciting play, both sides striving their utmost. ' Bush nearly succeeded in dropping a goal from the field. The ill-luck oil the New Zealanders pursued them to the end,- Deans spoiling a fine ennnce to score by passing forward. The whistle .sounded no-side amid a scene of tremendous excitement — Wales 3 -\ T ew Zealand 0 NOTES ON THE GAME. The keen interest felt in Wellington concerning the test game between Wales and New Zealand was exemplified in the crowds that assembled in the city before 9 o'clock yesterday morning to await the cable advices as to the result of the game. To tho bulk of the 'people the Welsh win camo as something of a shock, for a large section had begun to hope that the extraordinary list of unbroken successes achieved by the New Zealanders would be kept intact i but amongst a number of local students of Rugby as played in Great Britain the opinion has been quietly expressed for months past that in Wales " our fellons" would encounter football of a different class to that which they had experienced in England. To these the result of the game did not come as a great surprise, though disappointment was the general tono amongst the nublic. Satisfaction, however, was derived from tho knowledge that so close a contest had eventuated, and that the winning margin was so small. And under it all was an appreciation of the Welsh prowess Lhnt could vanquish a team possessing the record put up by the New Zoalanders. Ever since these successes began there has been heard from English supporteis the cry, " Wait till they get to Wrles " ; and sure enough it is in Wales the New Zealanders meet their Waterloo. The standard of football played in the principality must be imrneaburably superior to that in other parts of Britain. Some uime ago news reached here that Wales was specially preparing for this match. Two teams "wore picked, and tho veteran champion Nicholls, who retired a couple of seasons back, was induced to again don the jersey. The crack v threc-quar-ters, Llewellyn and Morgan, who wore about to give up the game, were also persuaded to continue in the field to uphold the fame of their country against the all-conquering colonials. The team was specially trained for the match, and has covered' itself with glory. The New Zealand tepm was a strong one. Smith's name was missed from tho backs, and probably he has not quite recovered from recent mishaps. A more serious omission, however, was that of Cunningham, the lock of the team, who has been quite one of the surprises of the tour, his play eclipsing all expectations. Probably he also was incapacitated. Still the team was a really strong one, and put up a great, but unavailing fight, and the laurels of tho match rest with Wales. Of the four International matches played, New Zealand has won three and lost one, scoring 42 points for and having 10 registered against. THE PREMIER'S REFERENCE. Itt? TELEGIUrH- OWN CORUESI'ONDKN'I'.] e'HRLSTUHURCH, This Day. In his speech to-day, Mr. Seddon referred to the New Zealand font bailers. With respect to the advance in manly sports, it was, he said, only necessary to look at what was being done in the Mother Coyntry, and thu marked improvement in football which had caused consternation and admiration there. Saturday's mishap was only one of those passing incidents that eventuated where the game was played. The grit with which the New Zealandcrs fought after the irishap only added lustre to their achievements, and made us move proud of them. The New Zealand Rugby Union received a cablegram yesorday from Mr. George Dixon, manager of the New Zealand team now touring Great Britain, stnting that the pioposal that the team visit and piny in America on conclusion of the present fixtures in Great, Britain was impracticable. A similar impression prevailed amongst the Management Committee of the Now Zealand Rugby Union prior to receipt of the cablegram. It is understood thnt tho team will leave London on its return to New Zealand about the middle of January, by the ».s, Corinthic.