The N.Z. Team in Australia

Southland Times, Issue 10996, 27 July 1907, Page 1

The N.Z. Team in Australia

THE SECOND MATCH. ITS EFFECT ON AUSTRALIAN RUBGY. THE TEAM’S ENTERTAINMENT. (Specially written by Ernest E. Booth.) SYDNEY, July 20. Last mail to N.Z. was lull ol glorious news of success ami triumoh. We had upheld our reputation as “ All Blacks No. 2,” and were still par excellence. Now I lie picture is reversed, and wc are swallowing the NAUSEOUS BUT PERHAPS WHOLESOME DRAUGHT of unquestionable defeat. For quite «. month Sydney dailies have been running articles and letters oa "How to beat vhe ’ All Black*,’ 11 u&d finally have discovered th# way and means in 0d minute.'). Fourteen points Co nil was never dreamt of in our philosophy. It exceeded the wildest expectation* of the most sanguine of N.S.W. supporters and followers. It is' my opinion, however, that it is ultimately all fur the best. In the interests cf the game of Rugby it is the finest thing that could have happened, in Australia. It brighten* the prospects of their projected tour of Britain next, year, beside* instilling no »nd of ctmfidenco in the players themselves*. To such generous foes wo can afford a lost game* or two.. Since 18S4 almost continually has the Kangaroo been '• Ri'gby-pectcd ’’ by the sturdy Moa. Tt is hard to foresee the beneficial result* oi this victory. 1 may quote Mr Howe, a member of the N.S.W. U»ion, who states that it practically sound* the deali'i knoll .of the Australian game in Sydney. It has captivated the whole populace of Sydney and delirious excitement ci/n.veys no idea, of the state of the spectators when Messenger scored and converted, placing N.S.W. in strong leadIi was their idol's doing and Australia’s victory. Even yet hundreds have the impression that we allowed the Cornstalks to win. Even our two trainers say something like " Oh, kid stakes, wait until ■Saturday, and then wp'll believe. 1 ’ To convey some idea of this sensation —even in the far.west in, N.S.W.—I met a gentleman friend irtfm Mt •. some 4<io odd miles out, who is in towu to see •Saturday's match. For myself, I did not anticipate such a disaster, thinking a draw might result after a stubborn Tight. Howet or.

HONOUR WHERE HONOUR IS DUE. U<_- were fairly and squarely beaten, and I i.’iinV I was the hrst to shake fcmnds with Messenger ami oilier opponents. f I be crowd was a wonder fc/r an oH-day, ,quito 26.000 being present. As a preliminary. North-east and South-west school rep. tearns hud a 44 go ” before us and their game was in progress upon our arrival. The State Band was in the enclosure, dispensing popular music. The air was fresh and hr cozy, blowing, say, threequarters towards Paddington. Hunter, winning the toss, elected to play with this breeze behind my with the eun slightly in our eyes. Play was from the kick-off, N.S.W, 'going oft at lop. The play was awfully ragged amongst our backs, especially in passing. Again, ns on Saturday, they were beating us in the scrum for possession), getti:,r the ball quite fix** times out of owo fever or eight scrums. Consequently, our threequarter line never got a geed swinging rush on. 1 never had -a pass myself all day from Hie scrum. *

1 ’LAY WAS VERY ROUGH ui i lines. Spencer in tine case being warned. This warning. in my o]iinion. pul a eonsideroble damper uu our men. us they wont toti' mill) altogether afterwards. They seemed scared of being put off. Against wind N.S.W scored twice. I will lint blnmo anyone. Inn ibinL bulb scores could have been avert oil by bard, quick tackling. Upon each score oi X.SAV. the population made, great demontilratiojis. With the wind and a !t 'iid of d points, the Blues jutneked with tremendous t ie;our alter " lemon or hnUtitue. THE SECOND SHELL. Fryer, failing to take a high punt on (he "full." pul N.Z. in difficulties, which finally ended in Messenger s try aud goal. N.Z. tried open play, hut the Bine forwards' stamina held them up to tiie end. Tackling on both sides was \ igorous. Messenger placed a penalty goal from quite half-way. Unquestionably thisi player's kicking powers are a continual mc-imnce to any opposing team. The Blue* received A TREMENDOUS RECEPTION at iHe conclusion of the game, especially from the members' stand. The crowd was exultant, 'and ewarmed away homewards proud and pleased with their champions. .Men shook hands with one another who previously had never met. Many luus were thrown up and lost. 'The enthusiasm reminded one vividly of the Welth crowds Ml Cardin'. The N.Z. loam have won many friends by the sportsmanlike manner in which they have received their ntipnra!i"lod reverse. As a player, I do not care to make

COMPARISONS, but of the backs Roberts and perhaps V. - a i lac* were the best. Spencer as full took matters rather too deliberately. Hunter and Mynolt had mostly defence work. Roberts, through not having the Mill, was hardly up to lbs usual standard, .1 ohiisloiic was, T think, the best, of tin? forwards. Coleman did good work ns winger, but is not up to Gillen's status yet. McDonald's collaring was prominent. lux wins not so prominent as on Saturdat ; evidently defence is his forte. Messenger was the best of the Blue backs, ably seconded by Bede. Smith and Woods, scrum. Barnett Hughes (’Varsity) and McCue wore most noticeable in the forwards. Murnin t'cnpl.) showed to belter advantage too. The referee appeared to me to allow the Blue front-rankers to’o much latitude in having " legs up " in scrum formation. Tn the first spell he did not seem to see it, but in the second spell, when N.S.W. was safe, he penalised five time*, tiling " frees " to N.Z. THE EVENING. At 7 p..' 11 . both teams assembled and were entertained at dinner in the. A.B.C. Cafe again. The usual procedure oj toasts. " The King," " N.SVV. and N.Z. Teams." " Referee." etc., was promptly disposed of.

A cable message was read from Mr Galbraith. of Southland Rugby Union, coiijii'aUiUUiiig (lit l victors on llioir victory, •-Mr L-aiiaynan (.America-ii delegate) was (inly presented with tiro now historical ball used in the great mnioh, which is n memorable one in tire colonial history oi Rugby. Ili.-i reply was characteristic. Stan. Wickham. tire ever-popular N.S.WX cx-cajitnin. w ho was present, was loudly called for ami made a brief spivcli of congrai illation to N.S.W., also speaking \rj ■!I Ilf New Zealanders generally. lie is ineuiiaciUileil uith a strained leg. In small parties and bands composed o! Ineih teams wr; strolled round to the .Masonic Hall in Castlcreft-gh street to finish the evening at a “ jolly smoko ” given by the South Sydney District Football ('hih. Upon our entrance to the spacious l hall the large audience gave a rally of sound. The programme embraced every novelty, plenty of comicalities, and. of course, In Sydney, a boxing contest. A. E. Wylie (a brother of our manager), accompanying the team On tour, sang a Bong, A few others of the

team and myself attended, a high-class bull in Paddington Town Hal! as tho guests of the N.S.W. Lancers. We were royally treated in every respect, all things being of the best —i.e., partners, floor, music and supper. The bright redbreasted uniform* of the Lancers jual.e a striking contrast to evening dress and the bright-coloured material of ’fue ladies’ dresses. THURSDAY MORNING a quiet practice was held and a parliament to consider matters, and especially getting possession. The usual footballers’ debate followed. In the afternoon we i, ft d a nice trip by Got eminent launch round the. liar* hour. Leaving Circular Quay at 2 p.m., tte steamed up to the. well-known training N.S.S. Sobraon. where Captain Mason put the 400 industrial boys (many street waifs formerly) through -av. interesting course of drill and exercises. Their singing in chorus and brass band playing were really tip-to; , and their instructors are deserving of all kudos. The boys are proud of the possession of photos of N.X. trains 1827 and 1903- By our \i.-it and their kindness our manager is giving one also of us, 1907. Afternoon tea was provided for our lady friends, and, ind-ed, for us all. Our manager, at the conclusion of thej boys' display, nicely returned thanks fur the kind treatment we had received. As a special favour, at ih.j ni fnpst of the hoys, we gave our Kolaato war-cry, all our fellows being asseuiided on tho top-deck. Leaving the Sobraon. the crew manned the rigging, a special mark of favour to us- After steaming round Fort Dennison and Moaman’s Bay, and then the warships (includin'- H.M.S. Powerful) iu Lane Cove, we reached the Oxford, freshened tqith the sea air and pleased with the courtesy of the members of the N.S.W. Union, who accompanied us, I may mention J. R.Henderson, Howe. Mr Green and others. •Still Ui ■ round of gaiety, fun and entei tmnawvit rchtjniued.. Alter dining)’ a la style we left the Oxford Hotel for Sr, George's Hall, Newtown, at 7.H0 p.-.u,, driving in dregs (although it was rainqe.'i, as pile.-is of the Newtown Football Club. <h:r appearance caused a s IIS',*t ion as usual. Tim programme v.as similar to the South Sydney (.Tub's smoko, cmly better in some ways. Professional artistes gate their services grails. Nice light refreshments were provided. My Wylie gave a nice return of UtMils on our behalf, and Jimmy Hunter, being called for, endorsed Mr Wylie'* remarks aud concluded his utterances. after a marked stoppage, by sayine ; ’■ You know the rest voursv!v >s ’’

Laughter.) We drove home early. singing ditties ea route. The Newtown Club, through their president, have 'nsm e«pociully kind to us. In fact. Urn hospitality extended to un even tries an rid veteran like myself at tin* game. To-day (Friday; fur a chMity v.e had a little rain from the south, which mil lightly all night. You can bet we all lot ’cd for more to soften the ground for Saturday. Some of our forwards, pour beggar?, I guess their hones ache a hit. Yes. tie? ground is like marble or ndiima?:!. 'Hip Bulli soil patches would scratch o diamond, they are so Lard. SATURDAY. Training was suspended to-day, everyone requiring rest much more, than exercise. Several small parties were over the Sydney Mint in the morning. The afternoon was most onjoyably spent

to La Porous.* and Botany Bay, and although cold enough t" a car overcoats, we laid pleasant time 'li-dling the cable station. where some of t-h>- odltvds explained some of the mysteries of uuutWiiter signalling. The visit of the Ihod i-Min was remembered by the' ohicials. Thin the aLorigiueeV comp was \ IsP.'-d, .111.1 a few black buch-= ga*. ■? us an exhibition of their lea-m rang throwing. A f.w muP.e curiosities were purchased nra: iv(* 1-ft I-.iUy sat isfied With ou r Maoris general si at.dard. I.rmi uigtil we attended West--' Pn’t.m-M as guests of Ihe Slew town Football C:Ub. I understand their p resident . Pr Ha lllHllir.slli.l nil . hooked 7T. S-Ti 1 hdmro.-d. Truly ; i sport. The “ draw of Ihd e\ mi imps programme was a -'C 1 •-?'.»*i-i :> i< t:, re of last Saturday's iu.it ch. It; was most realist ic. nhowln.g arrival ol i r .id'', uhe crowd, arrival oi the Governor. .air war haku and loot; parts oi play. In England T saw five picture re'■oi'd.- n: our play in ride rent :naP:.ho-=. but mulling to o.pmi this omc. I van hs-,-.i:re, \on it is n. peculiar sensat i*>n M look at these exhibitions a. d se > yourself playing. In th-‘ interval of tin* p--ri.-rmro.r-' r-or n.anager. nn l.ehnlf of th- to'du. presuued Pr Bohrsmann with. a larr-* auton rai-h-pln to of nt:r team, in rc-co_-r.it .on -»f his goodness. This pre<er-*atic.. "’:H jnade on the hinge p, front of a i-rr. audience. We aii v-t- early bed aL •:*- war’d^. T)i - <*,.■]ecl oi'*-' for* the Austrahm. t<v. m ■ r.‘ : ;11 solemn conclave and t o L '.v a b'T.g lime to make a final select ion.. One.* asInnd laid in Ik- considered. Local hop'*" run hi-fi fer rictnry. and ty ’t.-Ml-,' l.f ;; *' err.'d-a-r " to-day Next t;*r.it f v. ill sell note-; t ii-*ri'c!i. Af* ' ah" I k ; a J-,a-h* ! i* -rill our P.U-nti.m and feeling.