THE NEW ZEALAND RUGBY UNION TEAM.

Otago Witness, Issue 2059, 10 August 1893, Page 32

THE NEW ZEALAND RUGBY UNION TEAM.

NOTES ON THE TOUR. (Fjekm Our Own Correspondent.) " r* t Wellington, August 7. ' The result 'of the Australian' tour of 1893 is one on 'which the team of the New Zealand Union afe»to be congratulated. The tour has been a 'success ffbm every point of view. Of 10 matches played' nine have been won, with a score of 163 points against 44. Add to this the faot that -the members of the team have en-

joyed six weeks of unbonnded and hearty hospitality, and that none of the affiliated unions have been called on for monetary assistance, and it will be found that th 9 opponents of the New Zealand Union have nob witnessed the -disasters they predicted. With about two striking "exceptions, e\\ the men have played up to their home reputations, and individually and collectively they are far superior 1 to any similar number of players in the Australian, colonies. Of the individual players (exolusive of the four who reinforced the team), Jervis, Bayley, Bubland, Lvnbie, Cockroft, and W. M'Kenzie stand out prominently. Jervis, who played in all the matches, is a three quarter of the h : gheßt order. His accurate kicking, running, and collaring being of immense service. There was also a,pleasing absence of any fleshiness or gallery play "about hi 3 work, which was remarkably even ' throughout. Bayley, who played at half and three-quarter, was also a conspicuous success in both positions, and made every use of his weight; and speed- He was; however, not as neat and Bureau Jervis, nor was he as clever as the Aucklander in getting out.of a difficulty. Butland was the "white-haired boy" of the team, his idea of a back's game being a very fine one. Passing was his strongest point— it beiDg quick, ciean, and always judicious. Unselfish to a fault, he was yet keenly alive to any chance of scoring, while his defensive work was of a high order. Lambie is a spl ndid forward of the bsst Otago type, strong in the scrum, fast and dashing in the open, and clever on the line out. It would be hard to beat him anywhere. Cockroft was second to Lambie only in the matter of speed, and they made a fine pair of clever, honest workers— their passing especially being good and well-timed. MKenzie, who played in eight matches, is a fast, dashing wing player, whose strong point is his following up and collaring. He was a good deal handicapped by the fact that Mr Macmanmey, the New South Wales umpire, was of the opinion that he' was never on side, because a reputation for off-side p!ay had preceded him. Of the other forwards Ellison, though at times he came out of his shell, was not the Ellison of old, and his unsound legs troubled him a good deal. Hiroa and Murray are both fine forwards, the former being good all round-, while Murray's sbr*ong point .is his fast following up. Speight was perhaps the cleverest man in the team at line out work, and was usually prominent in the loose. Lambie, Cocktoft, and Murray played in every match. None of the other forwards call for special mention, while at least two of them were not class enough for the team Of the other backs, Gaga played in his best style at half, his defensive work being very fine till his lameness caused him to play threequarter, where he was safe, bub of course not brilliant. Wynyard, on the contrary, played his best towards the end of the tour, when he showed great dash, and his defensive work was better than usual Harper, who was unlucky enough to be knocked out in each of the two matches he played, is a very useful threequarter, being a fine collarer, and a quick and accurate drop-kick. He potted a goal each time he played, but is batter on defence than attack. Wilson and D'Arcy^were both, good full backs, the former doing some very fine kicking, while D'Arcy was much faster in getting down on to an opponent. The Queenslanders' style of play more closely resembled the New Zealand game than the Welshmen, who seem to fancy that try-getting, is the only way of scoring. Very faint attempts to pot were made in Sydney. They seldom! attempt to plase a goal from a mark or a free, kick outside the twenty-five flag. As a rule not enough use is made of the touch line when kicking, and with a few noteworthy exceptions the kicking is not of a high order. Strangely' enough more attention is paid to all these' points in the northern and western districts (Newcastle and Bathurfct) than in the metropolis. The Queenslanders have benefited to a great, extent by the coaohing of W. Warbrick, and are, I think, able to beat the Welshmen, though it is extremely probable that in a year or two' the reverse will be the case. The fault of both teams is that they, as a rule, play up to one particular man — as Abbott in New South Wales and O'Shea in Queensland. Of individual players, Cobb (of Newcastle), the Welsh full back, was 'perhaps the best player we saw. His kicking and collaring were good, and he seldom got flustered. Paul, the Brisbane full back, is also a good man, and with a little more experience will be quite up to first-class form. Of the three-quarters, O'Shea and Abbott are both good men, though they trust too much to their dodging powers ,and don't kick enough. M'Cowan (Queensland) is a good all-round three-quarter, and Allman, though young and light, is a plucky, and promising half back. Galloway and Barrie, the New South Wales halves, are not above tho average, the former being at his best when defend iDg, whilo Barrie does some really fine kicking. As Barrie is a recent convert from the Association game he will probably improve The Sydney forwards showed a great disinclina-, tion to go into tho scrums, and this, I think, will continue as long as the spectators encourage flash gallery play. The Brisbane forwards, though they pack better than the Sydney mcD, are not as clever. Lyons and Patterson (Brisbane), Veech, Sawyer, and Hiddlestone (Sydney), Reid and Fish (Bathurst), and Woods (Newcastle) were perhaps the best forwards we met. The tactics of the New Zealand players were keenly watched, and it is certain that our late opponents will do their best to bring their style of play to the same standard as exists in this colony. The majority of players complain that they cannot get good referees, and they are, agreed in thinking that" a supply of efficient officials would greatly assist in improving the game over there. Mr Rand, the secretary of the New South Wales Union, and Mr Stockham, secretary of the Reception Committee, deserve the heartiest thanks of the team for their courtesy and attention.

The Wakatipu, wibh the New Zealand ( Uuion team on board, arrived at Wellington from Sydney on Friday morning last amidst a cloud of misb, which prevented her arrival beiDg generally known. StiJl there were some hundreds on the wharf, and Thomas's Hall, to which place an adjournment was made after Mr Rhodes, M.H.R., had formally welcomed the football team, was crowded. Here, the 'reception was of a most glowing nature, cheers and applause being frequent. The Mayor (Mr H. D. Bell) introduced the Premier, who read a letter from the Governor in the following terms : I am much gratified at the attention shown me by your Reception Committee in giving me an opportunity of welcoming in person the New Zealand football team on their return to the colony, and as I do not find myself able to avail myself of their kindness I shall be obliged if you will be good enough to convey to them my warmest congratulation at their success and my personal gratification on the manner in which they successfully upheld the reputation of the colony. New Zetland is wUI known as a,' country in which the manly sport of football is held in the highest estimation, and I trust that the team you are met to do honour to may long wear the laurels they have so well earned. Among those who

believe that proficiency in such a game goes far to form the character of a people as well as among all patriotic New Zealanders the memory of their achievements will long live as a most pleasant recollection." Mr Seddon went on to say that although there had been some objections to the .selection when made, he did not think that anyone could now say it was a weak team ; at any rate the Australians would not say that. The one defeat thty had received was a salutary discipline, and had done good •rather than harm. Football was engrafted on thJ English race, and in this team there was a reprebentative of our Native brothers too. So long as New Zealand youths took an interest in physical development tbeca need be no foar of their degeneration. In the name of the colony he tendered the young men a hearty welcome home for the manly way they had upheld the credit of the country. Mr Rolleston said on an occasion cf national congratulation her Majesty's Gjvernment and the Opposition wore both accastomed to appear on the same platform. In this matter he was perfectly, at one with the Premier. As one who had interest in the bone and sinew of Now Zealand which had to tak-a the,T>lace of their fathers', ho thanked the team for their gallant exploits and for so worthily upholding the honour of tbe colony. Me A. E. G. Rhodes, on behalf-of South Canterbury, also gave them-a hearty- welcome. The Premiur then called- for three cheers for the Australians, which were heartily given. ■ Mr Campbell (manager of the te im), began by praising the Uniop Company for their efforts to smooth over the uupleasaatnes s which had arisen at the outset of the tour. They had found the footballers oa the other Bide worthy of their mettle, and let no one think that our team had had any soft things on. The grounds on the other Bide were fast, and this was why the scoring was high Oa the day of their -defeat by New South Wales the latter had played magnificently, but thuy would not have won by bo much had not our men been worn out and crippled. But in any case they would have wou, so finely did they play ; and he was not at all sure that thid defeat -was not a good thing for the team The. hardest match of all they played was against the Seoond Eighteen of Queensland, and the heaviest team they met' was at Bathurst, the m^n there averaging oyer 13st. Tae Queensland people were especially grateful to New Zealand, and had warmly greeted the team wherever they went. Mr Tozer, the Colonial Secretary of that colony, wanted it specially to be known that his colony would' never forget the way that New Zealand had behaved towards Queensland, and should a crisis ever happen— which he hoped never would — when Near Zealand needed help she would not stretch her hand to Queensland in vain. They had been wonderfully well treated everywhere, and had been taken to see everything they could see. He was sure, however, nothing could please them mo- c than the reception of that morning Mr Hoben, in response to loud calls, said that the whole dispute with the Union Company was caused by a letter not reaching him for three weeks, which would have obviated everything. The Union Company had done their best to make amends, and he called foe cheers for Mr Mills and his company to show that the incident had been buried. The call was heartily responded to. The football team presented Mr Campbell, manager, with a large frame of photos of the* men. > The members of the New Zealand representative football team were entertained at a social gathering on Saturday night in Thomas's Hall, at Wellington. There was a large attendance, including, a good sprinkling of ladies. The Premier occupied the chair, being supported by the Mayor of Wellington, Mr G.Fisher, M.H.R. (president of the Wellington Rugby Union), Mr G F. Campbell {manager}-, and Mr T. Ellison (captain of the team). The Hon. J. Carroll, and about 20 M.L.C.'s and M.H.R.'s were among those present, and all branches of sport were well represented. In' the course of a speech the Premier said-he thought New Zealand athletes ought to go further afield, and he would like to see football, cricket, and shooting teams from this colony showing their capabilities in the old country, 1 where he was certain they would do justice to the colony. Mr Campbell gave ah interesting acpount of the tour. Referring tot the attitude of the southern unions to the New; Zealand Rugby Un : on, he said when the team readied New South Wales he found the New Zealand Union had been hit below the belt, bat no damage was done, and although some unkind i reports had been spread regarding the union,, he had no difficulty in removing them ■ Addresses were also given by the Mayor, the Hon*. J. Carroll and W. M'Oullough, and Mr F. Lawry, M.H.R. Speeches were interspersed; with songs, recitations, &o , and a most enjoyable evening spent. A telegram from tho E^bt; Christchurch Football' Club congratulating the; team on the success of the tour was received^ with loud and continued applause. Several; telegrams were also read from the West Coast congratulating tho team generally, and Butland in particular.

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