THE N.Z. FOOTBALLERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13504, 30 January 1906, Page 3

THE N.Z. FOOTBALLERS

THE RECEPTION IN T WALES. ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF THE GREAT MATCH. (By Our SrcciAi, Coriiesfoxdext with the Te.ui.) CARDIFF (Wales), December 14. Leaving Leeds in a special utility saloon car, tho Maorilanders came on to the " Land of tho Lee); and Taffy" (tlie nursery of Rugby). Passing each station from Cheltenham, Gloucester, ami especially "Newport, the team encountered friends and hosts of admirers, who wished them a good time, a good game, and luck, Mr A'ilc, of Sievright's team, and A. J. Gould, iho onco famous Welsh three-quarter, gave tho team a formal welcome at Newport. Steaming off, tho station rung with cheers of hundreds. Cardiff was reached at 6 p.m. Before the train stopped an ominous roaring and cheering could Ik! heard. Immediately the train doors were opened the Lord Mayor. (Aklerman Robert Hughes) welcomed Mr Dixon and his men to Cardiff. Mr W. E. Ree.s, of the Welsh Union, and other prominent officials, escorted the team to their conveyances through an eager, excited crowd of Welshmen. From the station to the Queen's Hotel, in St. Mary's street, the team simply had a triumphal march through thousands and thousands of people. Tiie horses could barely get room to even walk, and Iho cheering, shouting, excited crowds gave tho colonials tlio most, wonderful welcome a team .surely ever received, hats and handkerchiefs, and 7 even women's aprons, flying in the air. 'The worth and cordiality of this reception was thoroughly appreciated by tho New Zealanders, who repeatedly bowed their acknowledgments—"a ja. majesty." A parage into the hotel was made by huge policemen. Dinner was the next item for the team, and then unpacking. Tho usual theatre party fdled in the remainder of tho evening. In tho streets tho "All Blacks" were followed by scores of people, anxious tp view these renowned heroes. This attention liecame so strong that tho team took off all their fern-leaves or badges, as distinguishing them from strangers, of whom the town was full, every train arriving beii/g packed. At 10 o'clock on Friday most of the team turned out, and had some practice oil tlie ground, Cardiff Arms, which was covered in straw. Hundreds of Welsh looked on at the frisking antics of the colonials rolling and tumbling in I he straw. After an early lunch a start was made for Town Hall to receive a civio reception by the Mayor, Ladv Mayoress, and council. Each visitor received a beautiful, programme of the function on arrival, and were warmlv fecoived by fhe Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, shaking- each bv tho hand. They were then'ushered into Ihe Council Chainb'T, which was literally packed to suffocation. The Mayor'? speech was splendid, and the Mayoress presenled c'a.cli guest with a mast elalwate silver „w(1al of unique design, inscribed with the occasion of visit, etc. As each New Zealander went forward some wag "■oulcl call out his nickname or a funnvism. The people present sun? their National Anthem with marvellous effect, to which the visitors replied with, their war-cry. The University hoys present kept tlie choruses goins. Adjourning to the Assembly Hall, light refreshments were partaken or and the' social side of the team tested. Many acecpted invitations, and visiled the Coal Exchange and castle, and other prominent places in the citv. . Saturday moraine fl6th). ihe day for the most memorable and historic same in Rugby football, was slightly dull, but .fine and dry. T will not attempt to descrbe the mad rush for the ground straight from , the railway station, the tens of thousands blocking the streets waiting in "oueer" formation 1 for the gates to open at 12 o'clock. The excitement seemed in ihe air, and inhaled with every breath. The police had an arduous yisk, and anxious time. The Welsh are an excitable people. Their enthusiasm can well lie called of the champagne order—must flow over. The Queen's Hotel itself -was a hive of lwsUe and aotivitv. From tho top storey windows a good'view of the ground was obtained, und it. was a sight itself to soo the thronging thousands on the stands, the hundreds hurrying to their positions likr> a huge army. Then to hear tho sfrong and lusty singing of this nation as on a battle morn. The effect iras wonderful and thrilling. .They sang thus, a band supplied music. Their singing included " Hen Wlad fv Nliadau." "Land of my fathers," and "Men of Harlech." Pefore 2 o'clock every stand was crammed, and the gates were closed, fully 45,000 being enclosed. After being. photographed, the team appeared on time, 2.30 p.m. The cheering was. thunderous. New Zealand's war-cry was answered bv the Welsh team singing "Hen Wlad Jy Nliadau." : This national refrain was joined in lty the mighty concourse, and the volume of sound was great and most unique. Immediately, play began., the keen, liess of both sides was apparent. Tine points of play were hidden in this anxious endeavour. and the Vanguards of each side maintained a huge struggle throughout. 11l fact, it bordered on extreme roughness, and the referee asked both sides to refrain from that style of play as much as possible. Both i sides were about equal in weiVht. and New Zealand got the most of the ball in scrums. Oa lining out New Zealand were superior, but the Welsh were a trifle better in loose ' and following up. The issue of the fame depended mostly on the forwards, arid thev know it. QTius the game went- on until the weakness in New Zealand's armour was noticed in the back division, and the Welsh started thoir own rear-guard in motion with effect. All the New Zealand backs gave a poor display of line-kicking, a' long way removed from their usual high standard. Tin's wore down tlif>ir - own forwards a <rood deal. • Tlie laciklin? was terrific on both sides. As n New Zealander and a critic it was. apparent to me that the New Zealand backs had cultivated a loose, reckliss .order of nassin? through continually winning. ■ This the nipov Welsh backs fßush. Owen, Nieholk and Co.) were, continually intercepting. It was evident the-Blacks' defence had degenerated from the 'above fault or fact of' always, being top. The Welsh style, on f he other hand, ivas the usual typical New Zealand game. _ f&fc and low pakes. Roberta sonfc iiis hall out cleanly and

! cleverly, but with the five-eighths this t movement generally endetl. The Welsh B had evidently made a long,, careful l study s of tho All Blacks' style, both by reading, and witnessing previous games in Glouces. ' ter, London, and «lsewliere. This was' a. , decided advantage. 1 Thoy knew apparently every move. Their full back (Winfield) • kicked superbly for the line, and helped, 1 indeed, in 110 small measure to' win tho • match. To put the whole game and- its 1 features in a... nutshell, .it can bo said 3 that tho. best iteanj won on the relativedis--1 plays by< bpth sides, and that New Zealand r were beaten at their own game exactly. [ It, however, cannot be taken that New_ Zealand.showed tlieu'r usual style, combinaI tion, or brilliancy, especially behind, tho scrum. The Welsh style is similar in : every respect to the (colonial. I witnessed ' points in the Welsh that I have not seen l ' elsewhere .but in New Zealand. lipceially 1 tho effective working of the blind side of > the scrum. The gams was disappointing ! iq. many respects—viz., as a spectacle, of ' seientifio football, unnecessary tackiing when the was passed, mauliijg and twisting one another on.tho ground, and . so on. Also, the showing 'of the New . Zealand backs. Roberts alone played up j to his usual brilliant game. The fielding was wretched and most unaccoiintable, 1 Mv theory that they had forgotton how to play quickly when hustled—most essential ■ in .New Zealand play-fis most feasible and 1 true. It will not dceur again unless I i am much mistaken; Had New Zealand . tried two wing forwards and crushed tho ' Welsh backs by weight Now Zealand would have won. , . In o|.iy ,;ease, the 'referee was most. , unaccountable in many of his decisions. He seemed to be under the idea - that Gallaher always jwt the ball iit unfairly, and i whistled eight free kicks for Wales. New Zealand got ihree the whole game. Deans seorecL..a try' without a doubt, the Welsh • themselves stating so, but being pulled back ovor Ihc lino again, a scrum was ordered. Mr Dallas, llio referee, did not run about with the -ulay as much as New Zealand referees do. A long criticism of tile Welsh style is almost unnecessary: They play' a." New Zealand game throughout, except [jacking in the serum, as I hey did 3-2-2. If was apparent to some keen observers, however, that generally the same men took tl:o front rank. Thus they had seven forwards, Fritchard and Bush being really fiveeighths, with four three-quarters at thou elbows. They were all very fleet, and splendid taeklers. They suffered a. good deal from tho fierce New Zealand forwards, Owen especially being thrown aboiit like an empty sack. He is a small bundle of pluck. The Welsh had ihc best of the game. Tho tussle between the two packs was a Titanic struggle. Fortunately the ground was seft. When Morgan scored the applause baffles description, and it looked as if the ground would be rushed with frantic "Taffies." Llewellyn dropped tho ball with a clear " run. in" 'through ovcr-cagrness. Wales did also miss more chances of scoring than New Zealand. Their forwards maintained the woudrou.s fast pace well. Tho NewfcZealawlcrs did manifest some evident symptoms of stale nesq. A noticeable feature of the Welsh backs was * apparent, and differing very much from the other systems in vogue 111 Kngland, Ireland, and .Scot-land. In running they did .not jam their. wings too much, Bush, Owen, and Nicholls especially running straight. Both Morgan and Llewellyn can heat an ordinary man easily. Ikd the New Zealand backs been up to form the game would have been much suprior 011 hot!-, sides, more scoring would have resulted, and the game been an object, lessen to tho world in passing, especially between two. sets of backs, each wonders of speed. Gabe was a mountain of defence for Wales, and, in fact, all tho members _ of Bcdell-Sivriglit's team knew New Zealand _ points thoroughly. This was Xew Zealand's really first encounter with a highly-trained team, which took nothing for granled, and attacked with, thorough confidence in themselves. There was no timidity about their style whatever; I hey went, "all out." They in many rospecis adopted New Zealand formation in plaring eight, backs. Had Gatlaher-only been called a "fly" half, back instead of .1 " winger " all the trouble, would have been obviated. Fritchard practically, to all intents, simply played as near Gallaher's style as lie could. The Welsh captain (Nicholls) favours playing eight backs as in the best interests of the game and producing (110 best spectacular results. The New Zealand back play can be said with (ruth to have been fully 25 per cent, below par. Critics who have seen them play before note this, and regret, the display given as misleading as to their true form, The/'stage fright" as, shown in Inverleith (in Scotland) on Ihe tour, and in Wellington in New Zealand against Bedell-Si vrighl's team last year, was distinctly traceable in (he team. Such a fact can scarcely bo believed of such old and experienced players as the team possesses. One forward puts it thus: "Why. our hacks (lone their nuts." Thus the Maorilander took- his gruel or hot leek soup at the hands of Taffy. The Welsh forwards were a picked, specially heavy set. and although perhaps not so; clever as the Scottish were very fast and "well trained. They played with a grimiiess of determination, and made this ilie game of llieir lives. Playing Prilchard out from tho scrum was a most successful experiment for Wales. Owen, the serum half (a featherweight), made a fine showing in his department. He is remarkably quick' and keen. Bush seamed quite his own self, and showed full at his best, lie, together with Owen and Pritchard, did no end of spoiling of New Zealand's passing play. All the Welsh throe-quarters showed up well, especially Gwyn Nicholls. Wakofiekl was, next to Roberts, tho.best back on the ground. Por New Zealand all the forwards wew at their best. They gave nothing away and stood a " gruelling" such as I thought " were, only possible to get, in New Zealand." The laborious, heavy scrummaging, sudden breaking up, and fiery dashes on both sides was an exposition of ideal forward play on both sides. Casey and Tyler did llieir allotted task well and got the ball fully 28 limes to Wales's 17. The , referee's whistle for leg-up is . open to .question. Newton, now a burly man of 16 slonc, played splendidly and showed up prominently all through. His weight and strength in the Now Zealand pack was in-, valuable. O'Sullivan was slightly winded once, like several more during the game, i He was ever in the midst of the boiling melee of struggling giants. Glasgow'played for every ounce of weight and pluck he was worth. His usual good games were e'ven bettered by himself in this " battle of battles." Seeling and M'Donald can be taken together as their play is so similar. Their collaring low and deadly and follow-ing-up wore marked features of tho gaW. Both shone up prominently in the loose, and took knocks like a mule's kick without winking, Gatlaher received a most unpleasant reception from the crowd, who continually barracked him about his play —"Play ; on side, Rallalior," etc, . The refereo anparently thought ho had some unfair trick in putting the ball in tho scrum, and penalised repeatedly. As tho minutes drew in near time the people were already starting to demonstrate their feel-, ing. and the final whistle actcd like a ' match to gunpowder. AFTER TIIE MATCH. Ilats, coals, programmes, sticks, flew in mid-air, and the cheering and singing were deafening, The Celtic blood ran l riot. The victors were mostly carried shoulderhigh .off the field. It took nearly two hours to clear ihe ground afterwards., Returning to the Queens Hotel the Iteds were accorded a huge reception bordering on mobbins —the pressure was terrific. The police were barely strong enough. The usual afterdinner was undoubtedly a huge success, and tho camaraderie between bpth teams a feature of the evening. All the Welsh members of Sievright's team were specially friendly with the visitors. The speeches are almost of a historic nature, being like

pronhocies of the future. The Welsh Union wish-to roturn this visit at oncc, showing thi} keen enthusiasm evinced in the game. Many past players'of ronown were present, including Rev. Miillineaux, A. J. Gould, and Dr Timms. The toasting was accepted ,witli striking cordiality. The Lord Mayor's speech was a masterpiece; Mullineaux's allusion to , his pleasure at being amongst giants, of 'tlio gamo caused no end of smiling. Ho was prominent, however, with his sft Siti of- stature. The proceedings were enlivened by selection's on a Welsh harp, by Maori choruses,' Welsh incantations,' attd' even tho old Queensland warcry by 'Morgan, Bush, and Gate was heard. Crowds congregated • outside to ealch'theso snatches of things above through the open windows. Hundreds paraded' tho streets singing-."Land of my fathers,',' etc., celebrating the national'victory in every way. Gentlemen in high stages of life wore etmrmous green leeks in their buttonholes, and, in fact, tho whole town seemed to, be as excited as if -another Trafalgar had been fought and wort. Postcards of both teams were selling like ripe cherries. The telegraph - offices sent away over 35,000 messages after tho match - all over the United Kingdom. Cables and telegrams were published from remote places in the Empire—even warships and Welsh regiments abroad. After this defeat, although the team feel the loss of Iho "rubber" very much, and more so . on account of Dean's try,, they ore not down-hearted, and are swallowing their " medicine" like men. Tho Welsh arc treating them (villi an equal amount of respect and admiration- as be-. fore. On Sunday morning both teams drove •. in large drags to Penarth. After dinner and a good wall; round the wharves and locality, ' the return drive was made to Cardiff. Monday morning was devoted to inspecting the new audi splendid Town Hall, which-is to bo opened shortly. The team were courteously received, and everything shown and explained. Many others inspected the docks, and wcro much interested in the' Jingo hydraulic cranes emptying 12-ton trucks iiolus bolus like migic.' In this labour they saw many "Ail Blacks" at tho game, of bread-winning. Ono small party were shown over enormous floating docks and pontoons, and after refreshments and o- hearty farewell were sent across to l'iorhend wharf in a spocial lamicli. Thus the name New Zealand is being circulated an<l spoken by millions in all' places and paths of life. At 3.35 train a fine crowd assembled, from the dusty miner to the Coal Exchange gcntlcmou, to wish (ho New Zealanders a. speedy return and good luck. "lua ora" is becoming common, and quite a. favourite toast and quotation throughout, the length and breadth of tho United Kingdom. , En route to Cardiff the team were acoompanicd by many "tourists" desirous qf seeing more of tho We'.sh fixtures. At stations liko Bridgend and Meath, Briton's Bridge, hundreds were assembled to see tho team, and broko into lovely choruses of their national songs, "Men of Harleck," "Land-of my fathers." In these items, to the huge delight of the people, the New Zoalandejs joined with their strong, manly voices. At one slation two small boys with fine treble voices bera.n tho great "revival" hymn, "Lead, KincKy Light," and simply tho wliole station look this sweet melody up with fervour, footballers all joining in willingly. The effect was moving and heartsome. Upon arrival at. Swansea Station nothing could bo hcaixl for cheers, and nothing hardly seen but a. sea of eager faces of hundreds. These Oltio people aro magical in their enthusiasm. Completely filling; a lmgo tram, the, men slowlv forged through tho crowd to the Tenby Hotel. These warm receptions -have never failed to be appreciated by tho team.