CRITICS ANSWERED

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1180, 1 December 1924, Page 5

CRITICS ANSWERED

ALL BLACKS WIN EASILY. NINETEEN POINTS AGAINST WALES. [Bv Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.] LONDON, Nov. 29 Before an enormous crowd the All Blacks to-day avenged the defeat of their predecessors by soundly beating Wales in a game in which they never gave their opponents a chance from beginnings to end. They kept up a relentless pressure under which the Welsh defence crumbled, and, though once or twice the local men raised the itopes of the onlookers, at the bell they had to leave the field beaten by 19 points fo nil—not even a solitary score to oli'set the brilliant New Zealanders’ line total. The weather at the start was bright after heavy rain, but the ground was on the soft side. The visitors had greatly benefited by the week’s stay at Tenby .Mill, where they had diligently practised scrum work in order to eradicate some of their weaknesses. PATH lOTIC WELSILMEN. The memorable scenes witnessed in the historic encounter al Curdiff in 1905 were re-enacted at Swansea to-day. I lie greatest crowd that ever packed St. Helen’s ground sung with intensely patriotic fervour '‘Land of Aly Fathers'’ and “March of the -Men of Harlech’’ in a manner of which only Welsh football enthusiasts are cupable. No visiting team could remain allege l her insensible to the influence of the peculiar atmosphere invariably associated with an international match on Welsh soil. Gallagher's men experienced their full share of this intense Celtic emotionalism .owl it is generally recognised that it affected in some measure their-piay that day. Nevertheless this new team from New Zealand entered the field with unshaken determination to avenge that deb at, and the rigid preparation liiev had uiid;“'i'/uie met with its reward and enanled them lo achieve the greatest ambition of the tom. The gates had to be closed long before the start and the attendance is estimated at 50.0C0. OPPOSING FIFTEENfc. The New Zealand team was as follows.” Full-back, G. Nepiu: three-quarters, K. b. Hvensoii, A. E. Cooke, J. Steel; h' e " eighths, N. P. McGregor (2). -M. K Nieholls; scrum-half. J. Mill ; winger, J. HParker; hack row. J. Richardson (captain). F. L. Cuoples; supports, M. J. and C. J. Brownlie;‘ lock. R. R. Masters; hoo.ters, W. R. Irvine, Q. Donald. The following players took the tie d in the scarlet jersey of Wales : —Full-hack,, I . Johnson (Cardiff); three-quarters. L. I men (Llannellv) A. Stock (Newport), A. Jenkins (Newport),' Rowe Harding (Swansea ami Cambridge), outside halves, J. captain (Newport), K. W illiams (Neath) . serum-half, W. J. Delahav (Cardifl); wingforward. D. 11iddlestone (Neath); forwards. S. Morris (Cross Keys). D. Marsden-Jones (Cardiff and Loudon Welsh). Dai I arker (Swansea). C. Ptigdi (Macsteg). J. Gpre (Blaina), R. Randall (Aheravon). All but Williams were old internationals. Major J. Til-union (Northumberland) was ihe referee. The Welsh loam aroused immediate enthusiasm by answering the -Mi Blacks’ warcry with an improvised one of their own. There was some delay before the game began owing to a dispute over the ball hut Lnailv Wales, having, lost the loss, kicked,:!f against a slight breeze. Their forwards took up an aggressive attitude for the moment and resolutely dribbled into New Zealand territory, hut it was only a flash m the pan. THE FIRST SCORE. Some fine kicking by C ooae gained mound up the touch-line and transferred play close in the Welsh line, llcrc impetuosity by |,v the local forwards got them into trouble for off-side play. Several penalties were riven against ihem. and from one Nicliolls had an .asy chance at goal and -out the ball across to the dismay of ihe crowd. New Zealand £ • Wales 0 New Zealand had scored within fifteen minutes of kicking oir. The -All Blacks maintained continuous pressure ami drove their hardest at V. ales line. Nicliolls. who was playing brilliantly, was nearly across once, hut the Vi eishmen were putting up a desperate defence and he was collared ill lime. On the All Blacks came again, no breathing time was allowed. So last as one dasli failed another was started, nor could the defenders, strive as they might, clear their quariers from this sustained pressure. There was no respite and at last ii found a gap fifteen yards from the goal line. Maurice Brownlie secured the hall. and. using all his .strength, the burly llawke’s Bay forward shook off every opponent, forced his way through and crossed the line. Nicliolls convened, and with twenty-live minutes gone the score was ; New’ Zealand r B Wales ' 0 At this stage Wetter, Wales’ captain, temporarily retired lima, and most untorim nately rain came on again. The wot hall, however, did not seem to affect the All Blacks so adversely as it had done ill provious matches. fj>:f forwards. It was evident: they were keyed-up to such a pitch that nothing could dampen die ardour of their forwards, about whose capacity to stand up to the Welshmen doubts" had been expressed by various critics. They were playing with such extraordinary dash and determination that they completely dominated the game. Once more they drove up to the M ehli line. There war" a helter-skelter scramble with the slippery hail jumping here and there among the players' feet, and then Irvine from a welter of mingled jerseys was seen emerging with it in his arms and falling across the line. Nicliolls only just failed to land a goal Irani tins try and the first ludf ended: New Zealand. ... 11 Wales 0 WARNINGS BY REFEREE. Thus far the aVU Blacks liad completely outplayed their ' opponents. They carried most of the scrums.- they got niuen more of the hull from the hue-outs and they had. mainained a continuous pressure wliieh never slackened. 'Tile hard game had the elfect of trying the tempers of several ot the men on both sides, and the referee eou.riuered it necessary to administer some mild warning's. After the interval Wetter re-appeared, hut lie was stili limping badly. Upon resuming play the Welsh forwards, who had liad time to regain breath in the interval, began well as in the first half They raised the hopes of their supporters, who now were very crestfallen indeed, by rushing the hall to the otlini end and setting up an attack nil the New Zealand line- whiclt lasted for quite a time. The defence was strongly tried, but was equal to tile occasion and remained unbroken. Nepiu, with some magnificent kicks into touch, repeatedly drove tile invaders hack and presently they had shot their holt. Cooke,' Steel and Barker then joined in a magnificent passing rush, which ended in tiie first-named crossing the line, hut a try was disallowed. Both full-backs, Nepia and Johnson, hero came into tile limelight with forge splendid fielding and kicking, which aroused the enthusiasm of the'spectators. ' Once more the Welshmen succeeded in pushing their opponents hack and the game was again in the New Zealand’s quarters. Spoiling tactics on both sides prevented much open play until Steel gathered in the hall at the centre and started one of bis powerful runs. On the verge of crossing the line lie was pushed into touch when a try looked certain. This was the prelude to a glorious passing rush by the AJI Blacks, which brought about; a a serum in the corner. Here Miff cleverly worked ihe blind side, passing with judgment to Stepson, and the latter got over. Nichoils’ kick failed. New Zealand 14 Wales : 0" Both sides were now playing at high speed, the pace at times being tremendous

and Wales showing much, improved combination among the backs. Rowo Harding got one chance and rati through everyone tili he reached Nepia, but the Maori--was equal to the occasion and grassed his man with certainty. THE FINAL SCORE.

The light was now beginning to fail and the final stages of the game were fought out in the gathering gloom. Just on the call of time Irvine got the ball at his feet and after a brilliant piece of dribbling scored again with a try right under the posts. Nicliolls had no difficulty in converting and ihe game then ended: — New Zealand 19 Wales 0 —A. and N.Z. cable. SPEED OF THE ALL BLACKS. TOO MUCH FOR WELSHMEN. LONDON, Nov. 29. One paramount factor in the All Blacks’ success was their pronounced superiority in speed. " Rowe Harding alone among the Welsh backs was comparable with them. The game, critically reviewed, was of a surpassingly scraggy nature, neither side exhibiting combination equal to the best they have shown in other games. Both packs indulged liberally in much unnecessary' mauling and playing the man. The game was extremely hard to. control, and the referee was rather, indulgent us regards roughness and illegalities. Combined with the stringent allowance of marks for rebounds, the game altogether lacked the sparkling and regular methodical display of the previous, match at Swansea. Welsh . off-side propensities were a continual feature. Wales was penalised nine times and the AH Blacks five. IVELSH DETERIORATION. The game was the poorest reflex of the previous ljatcft in Gallagher's time. Although possessing its ruggedness, it was not an inspiring spectacle generally, con-si.-ting of spoiling tactics by both sides. Tlie best feature was the Welshmc-n’s determined tackling. The contest undoubtedly proves Welsh deterioration, which was most: marked in the poverty of tactical variety of attack among the rearguard., wliiie the Welsh forwards failed utterly to equal local expectations. The All Blacks’ methods _ throughout were excellent, 'denoting confidence_ and resource. M. Brownlie, Richardson, Irvine and (.Tipples were most prominent among the visiting forwards. Nich: Is, Nepia, Gooke and Mill shone among the backs. . . Wales gained possession most from the serum. The result of the match tame as a great shock to Welsh Rugby prestige, in all departments the Welshmen were completely outclassed, most markedly so in the back division. —A. and N.Z. cable. HARDER TEST COMING. THE GAME WITH ENGLAND. Received December 1, 11.35 a.in. LONDON, Nov. 30. A representative of the Daily Alail interviewed the members of the All Blacks team, who expressed themselves as being delighted at having defeated Wales. They expect a more severe test against England if the ground is fairly dry. They declare that the English backs will develop their own tactics, whereas the Welsh insides maiillv endeavoured to frustrate the beginnings of the All Blacks’ movements from the scrums. They anticipate a hard game against Llanelly on December 2 and also against the Combined Services on December 13. Alunro lias recovered and will he playing shortly.—Sydney Sun cable. DISCUSSION IN A MINE. RESCUED MEN’S QUESTION. Received December 1, H. 35 a.m. LONDON, Nov. 30. The first question , that the rescued miners at Dunvarit asked was: “Who won ?” They spent much of the time during the two days when they were en- • tombed in discussing Wales’s prospects. — Sydney Sun cable. COMING TOUR OF FRANCE. JOURNEY BY AEROPLANE. Received December 1, 9.45 a.m. PARIS, Noy. 30. The French Rugby Federation is hearing the expenses of the visit of the All Blacks and authorising the team to proceed to France by air. At present it is arranged that the All Blacks will depart from Croydon lor Palis in four aeroplanes on January 5, visit the battlefields and place wreaths in the New Zealand cemeteries op January 3, and plav a mufcli in Paris -oil Jan ilaiy 11. Thereafter they will iour to the Pyrenees. There will he a match against All France at Toulouse on January 18. The team leave Paris on January 19 en route io Liverpool, where they will embark for Canada on January 24. —A. and N.Z. cable. CRITICISM LEVELLED. Par Press Association. MASTERTON, Nov. 30. In an interview when the result of the football match in Wales was announced, Mr K. McKenzie, chairman of the All Blacks’ selection committee, who yesterday predicted a good win for them, said he told a meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union before the players departed that the criticism levelled at the team would he answered on ihe playing fields at Home. It had been done and ho felt sure that all critics had now been silenced. THE HONOURS BOARD. In the 21 matches played on the British section of the tour, the All Blacks have scored 505 points as against 71. The following were the contributors: — Goals. Tl. • Tries. Con. F.G. Pen. Pts.

RECORD TABLE. fiTlie results of the present tqijr to date, together with tho scores of the 1905 All Blacks for comparative purposes, sire as follow: —

Nii-holls. AX. X’ 2. 29 2 5 87 Hart, A. II. ... 16 1 — - — 50 Nepia, G — 18 — 3 45 Cooke, A. Lx. ... 14 — — — 42 Parker, J. H. 13 — — — 39 Svenson. K. S? 12 — — — 36 Aliii. J. ■ 9 3 — — 33 Stool, J 8' ' i — 28 White, A 5 5 — — 19 Brownlie, AX. J 6 — — — 13 Brown, H. W. 4 2 — — 16 llieliaidtjon, J .. 5 — — — 15 Irvine, \V. R. ... 5 — — — 15 Lucas. L’. \V . ... 3 — — — 12 Donald, Q 3 — — — 9 Porter, G. C. ... 3 — — — 9 Masters, R. R. 2 — — — b McGregor, N. P. 2 — — 6 Stewart, K. 1 ? . 2 — — — 6 Guppies, Jj. X'. X — — — 3 Brownlie, ('. ... 1 — — — 3 West, A. H. ... 1 — — — 3 Robilliatd, A. C. 1 — — 0 '117 58 3 8 503

1924. 1905. v. Devon, won 11-0 55-4 v. 'Cornwall,' won ....... 29-0 41-0 v. Somerset, won 60 23,0 v. Gloucestershire, won 6,0 ' 44-0 v. Swansea, won 38-3 • 4,3' v. Newport, won 13-10 6-3 v. Leicestershire, won .. 27-0 28-0 v* North Midlands, won 40-3 81-5 v. Cheshire, won 18-5 34,0. v. Durham, won 43-7 16-3 v. orkshire, won 42,4. 40-0 y. Lancashire, won £3-0 v. Cumberland, won . .. 41-0 v. Ireland, won ' . . 6-0 15-0 v.'TJlster, won ... 28-6 v. Northumberland, won 27-4 3Q-0 v. Cambridge V arsity, won 5-0 14-0 v. London Counties, won 31-6 — v. Oxford ’Varsity, won 33-15 47-0 V. Cardiff, won . 16-8 10-8 v,. Wales, von 19-0 0-3 503-71 428J>^