ALL BLACKS BEAT FRANCE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XX, Issue 2066, 13 January 1925, Page 5

ALL BLACKS BEAT FRANCE.

THIRTY-SEVEN TO EIGHT. 45,000 PEOPLE PRESENT. (Press Association.) Paris, January 11. There were 45,000 people on the ground at Colombes to see the All Blacks defeat France, which they did by two goals and nine try's to one goal and one try (37 to 8). Before the commencement the New Zealanders gave their famous war-cry. It was thought that McGregor would replace Nicholls, whose knee was considered likely to handicap him, but just before the match began it was decided to play Nicholls. NINE TRIES, NO GOALS. France strongly attacked from the kick-off, a movement resulting in Messon, one of the three-quarters, scoring a try in the corner that was not converted. Porter opened New Zealand's account with a try in the corner, which Nepia failed to convert. Immediately afterwards Hart scored, and Nepia failed with the kick. White was the next scorer. He took the kick himself, but did not succeed. Brownlie started a magnificent movement, the whole team participating in a bout, resulting in Hart scoring. Again White failed to convert. In quick succession both Brownlies and Svenson each added a try—one under the posts—but nil three were unconverted. Just before the interval Cooke added a try, and again the kick failed. At half-time the score was:— New Zealand 24 France 3 SECOND SPELL MORE EVEN. The Frenchmen recommenced strongly, and after four minutes' play Dumanoir scored, Dilliettey converting. Thereafter the New Zealanders maintained the attack. The French backs offered strenuous defence, but both Brownlies scored between the posts, and Nepia converted both tries. Just, before the whistle went for noside, Svenson added an unconverted try, and the game ended: — New Zealand 37 France 8 Apart from the first minutes in each half, the New Zealanders easily dominated the game. The Frenchmen showed their usual fault of holding the ball too long.