NEW ZEALAND v. AUSTRALIA.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLI, Issue 183, 5 August 1907, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND v. AUSTRALIA.

THE "ALL-BLACKS" AGAIN ON TOP.

[PEESS ASSOCIATION. 1 (Received Aug. 3, 7.42 p.m.) BRISBANE, Aug. 3. The return match between Australia and New Zealand was played on the cricket ground this afternoon. The weather was fine, but a strong breeze was blowing. The attendance is estimated at between 16,000 and 17,000.

The teams were

Australia: Full-back, Dix; threequarters, Parkinson, Russell, Smith and Messenger; halves, Woods and Mandible; forwards, Oxlade, Oxenham,. Barnett, Burge, Caniffe, Fihelly, Flanagan and Richards. New Zealand : Full-back, Coleman ; three-quarters, Wallace, Mitchinson and Fryer; five-eighths, Hunter and Mynott; half, Roberts; forwards, Giliett (wing), Casey, Hughes, Cunningham, Nicholson, Francis, Johnston and Seeling. Oxlade having won the toss from Hunter, elected to play with the wind, and Francis started by kicking off for the visitors. Russell took the leather and returned it to the half-way flag, where it went into touch. From the line-out the blacks rushed up the field, and began to look dangerous, when they were forced out within Australia's 25. On the ball's being thrown in Oxlade and Fihelly got going, and carried the scene of *play back to halfway, where Coleman stopped further progress "by gathering up the ball with despatch, and although hotly pressed, got his boot to work, and relieved his side by finding the line at the half distance. From the line out the Australians broke away with the ball at the toe; "Wallace raced along in front, and, gaining possession, attempted to work his way round the field, but was grassed by Fihelly, and the local pack kept the ball rolling in the direction of the New Zealanders' goal-line. Wallace again attempted to check the advance, but was carried off his feet. Messenger kicked the ball over the line, and a great scramble ensued for possession. Messenger was the first to reach it, and eventually touched down, drawing first blood. He took the kick himself, and registered a goal. Australia 5, New Zealand nil. From the drop-out the blaclis forced the Australians right back on to their line, and the danger was only averted by Dix, who, putting in some fine footwork, removed play to half-way. The Australians then continued to attack, arid going on with dribbling-rushes the New Zealand line was for a time in. serious danger. By concerted play, J however, the visitors gradually but j surely forced their opponents back into "neutral territory. For the rest of the spell the ball went hither and thither, but mostly in New Zealand j territory, where it was when the whistle sounded half-time, and the board then read: Australia 5, New Zealand 0.

Messenger opened the second spell with a. kick to Mynott, who returned, and the blacks at once began to move forward. Mynott secured possession, and punted high. Dix fumbled the leather, and before he had time to make redress Seeling was on top of him, and, kicking over the line, fell on the ball, registering the first score for the visitors. Wallace took the kick, and equalised the scores by putting the ball between the posts. Australia 5, New Zealand 5. From another drop-out the blacks again became offensive, though if anything with increased vigour, and, gaining considerable ground by means of dribbling-rushes, soon got within the local men's 25. Here one of the visitors skied the ball to Dix, who secured it, and with his return found the line.. No sooner was the ball in play again than the Australians were forced back within their 25, when Hunter snapped up the oval and, after a great run, passed to Wallace, who crossed the line near the corner.

Francis essayed the shot at goal, but the attempt was futile. New Zealand 8, Aiistralia 5. On resuming the blacks were not iong away from Australian territory, and Dix making a further mistake by dropping a very simple thing gave Francis an opportunity to score, of which he quickly availed himself. He failed in the kick at goal, which left the scores New Zealand 11, Australia 5- -, • - The blacks were now making the game very interesting for the home team, and the ball was scarcely in play again before they were once more at their throats, and were within an ace of scoring, Fihelly just-saving by kick- 1; ing into dead country. The game ; continued to hover in the local men's j 25, and a scrum was formed right on j their line. From this Roberts gained possession and passed on to Wallace, who raced round the scrummers and touched down behind the posts. He was entrusted with the kick, but no goal resulted. New Zealand 14, Australia 5. TIT On resuming the Australians rushed the ball down the field and carried play well into the visitors' quarters, but Coleman saved with a fine punt, which sent his side down once more on the offensive. A free-kick to the local men relieved the pressure, and a little^ later on a similar penalty enabled the Australians to enter the blacks' ground; but they were sent back by Coleman, who found the line at half-way. For a time uninteresting play took place in neutral territory ; eventually the Australians broke away, and were looking dangerous when forced out in the New Zealand corner. Almost immediately the whistle sounded " no-side," and the game ended: New Zealand ... 14 . Australia 5 j