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New Zealand Mail, Issue 1321, 24 June 1897, Page 27

A gentleman who saw the TaranakiWararapa match, writing to a friend in Wellington, says: “Taranaki are in bad form. They averaged over a stone heavier in the pack than the Wairarapa men, and yet; could not push them. In the loose Wairarapa ran over them, whilst the latter’s backs were as strong on the defence as theirs. Bayley is not the Bayley of old. He played very selfishly, and when he found that Wrigley, who we played five-eighth, could smother him and down him if he attempted to run, he only kicked over the scrum. Watson is very fat. The opinion here agrees with mine, that Bayley and Watson are not worth a place in the New Zealand team. Wells, Mills, Allan, Humphries played well, but I am confident that Watson cannot get into form in time for the trip. Crawsbaw, the referee, told Wrigley that ho played the best back game on the ground—a statement which was endorsed by' tho Taranaki players. Gray is playing as well as ever. Taranaki are going into hard training for their match with you." They are going to New Plymouth. After the result of the game with Wairarapa they arc afraid of your forwards. Blair, of Wanganui, vdid notbingagainst us. Several of the Wanganui forwards are superior to'him,”