ENGLISH PRESS COMMENTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2695, 8 November 1905, Page 62

ENGLISH PRESS COMMENTS.

SYDNEY, November 6.

The London Daily Telegi'aph, commenting on the match between the New Zealanders and Leicester, played on September 30 and won by the former by 28 points to nil, says that for the first time the New Zealand scrummages were fairly held in check, and were unable to afford their backs a free hand. Directly the balance of power forward rested with the Ne^vvi Zealanders the superiority of their backs was very manife&t.

The Daily News says that every chance that presented itself was utilised by the colonials to the fall, and if the chances did not come along in the ordinary way tney would make them themselves. So great indeed is their confidence in. their ability that they had no hesitation in starting attacks in their own twenty-five. Moreover, their audacity in this respect was justified by results, and their perfect combination, speed, skill, and strength bids fair to render the New Zealanders almost invincible to the end of their tour.

The Times says Leicester had not the capacity outside of the scrummage to turn to account the good .work of their forwards. Having taken the sting out- of the home team, the New Zealanders turned the game quite easily. With regard to the notorious wing forward of the New Zealanders, the Times says that he may be 6aid to have almost met his match in Braithwaits, the Leicester half back, whose excess of zeal often found him tackling Gallagher when the latter did not haye the ball. With regard to the Middlesex match, won by New Zealand by 34 points to nil, the decisive victory was thoroughly genuine. In the matter of footwork the home team held its own, but in all other departments it was obviously the weaker side, the backs being quite outclassed.