WHY WALES FAILED

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1181, 2 December 1924, Page 6

WHY WALES FAILED

ALL BLACKS’ COMBINED PLAY. TOO FAST AND TOO CLEVER. [By Electric Telegraph,—Copyright.] Received December 1, 10 a.m. LONDON, Nov. 30. There was an amazing scene at Swansea before the match botween the 1 All Blacks arid Wales, the whole concourse singing the. national air. and hymns, but the spirit that this fervour was ,expected to put into tho play of their countrymen was singularly lacking. Wales . was completely beaten by a side faster, cleverer and infinitely more resourceful in. everything they did. The whole story .of the match, summed up, is that the New Zealanders played like a . team, while Wales never-gave the impression of having any settled policy. Not even the injury to . the .Welsh halfback, Wetter, causing his retirement halfway through the first half,'and keeping him lame all through the second, could be urged as an excuse.-- ; 1 The Welsh forwards wero not heavy enough or fast enough, but it was behind the scrum where the great difference between tlie two teams was most perceptible. The All Blacks executed tine handling movements with the greasy ball, but Wales brought off scarcely one that looked like materialising in a score.. There was a terrific battle between the forwards, and the referee spoke to players on both sides more than once when tempers were lost; but one side could not be blamed more than the other. —A. and N.Z. cable. ALWAYS THE MASTERS. NOT AFFECTED BY WELSH . SPECTATORS. Received December 1, 12.5 p.fn. LONDON, Nov; 30. All the world knew The All. Blacks had been waiting for 19 years to avenge the historic defeat by Wales. Anyone seeing them enter the field at Swansea must have felt “Here are 15 champions realising that the great day has arrived.” If the footbull fervour and religious rapture of the immense crowd produced any terrifying effect on the All Blacks they showed no symptoms of it, but walked on to the ground as if unaware of the crowd’s existence. • The crowd sang hymns and patriotic uirs with wonderful musical effect, for no crowd in the world can sing like the Welsh. Their emotions reached the climax when the red jerseys came into view. They were greeted with the “March of the Men of Harlech,” sung with extraordinary gusto, but this was surpassed by “The Land of Our Fathers,” when tlie entire 50,000 spectators rose and bared their heads. Tho visitors began with admirable steadiness and soon got into their -stride. They were masters to the end. Wales gave the crowd a thrill occasionally when the forwards swept downfield with the ball at their toes, but the All Blacks invariably stemmed tho onrush. Tho crowd encouraged the Welshmen with inspiring songs, alternated with epithets hurled at the All Blacks and the hooting of the referee. —-Sydney Sun cable. BRAINS OF THE ALL BLACKS. TRIBUTE PAID TO NICHOLLS. Received December 1, 1.55 p.in. LONDON, Nov. 30. The newspapers comment strongly on the unnecessary vigour of - Saturday’s match and also reprove the crowd for its bad sportsmanship and hostility towards the referee. The critics unanimously pay a tribute to Nicholls, whom they describe as the brains of the All Blacks. They are unstinted in their admiration of Nepia’s display.—A. and N.Z. cable. WALES OUTCLASSED AND OUTPLAYED. PRAISE FOR NEW ZEALANDERS. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Dec. 1. The New Zealand Rugby Union lias received the following cablegram from Mr C. Wray, tho Dominion’s representative on tho English Rugby Union r “Heartiest congratulations on splendid victory. Wales was completely outclassed and outplayed. 'Cooke, the conjuror, is the greatest op--1 portunist I have over seen. Mark Nicli- | oils, is the demon dummy demonstrator and showed splendid football brains. Is'epia is peerless. McGregor would go ■down to a runaway train. ‘Maurie’ Brownlie, tho marvellous, did great work and so did ‘Bill’ Irvine, Cupples, and every man in the team. Wetter's action in holding up tho start of the game in the | presence of 50,000 people by rejecting the ball just at tho kick-off will go down ip history.” The New Zealand Union has replied to Mr Wray : "Sincere thanks for congrutu- | lut ions; • victory a splendid reward for ! your untiring efforts on our behalf.” I The following cable has been sent by 1 tlie New Zealand Union to the All Blacks : 1 "Heartiest congratulations on the njagni- ! fioent victory. Enthusiastic rejoicings throughout tho Dominion.” LLANELLY BEATS PENARTH. Received December I,‘ 10.20 a.in. LONDON, Nov. 30. | At Rugby Llanelly beat Penarth by 12 points to nil.- —A. and N.Z. cable. The AH Blacks’ next game will be played against Llanelly to-morrow.