A DECISIVE VICTORY. NEW ZEALAND 2& AUSTRALIA

Colonist, Volume XLIX, Issue 11994, 22 July 1907, Page 2

A DECISIVE VICTORY. NEW ZEALAND 2& AUSTRALIA

Per Press Association. Keceived July |20, 9.35 p.m. Sydney, July 20. The first of the test matches of the present tour between . Australia and New Zealand was played this afternoon, and another monster crowd thronged the Cricket Ground. The extra space adjoining the Pavilion was thrown open to the public, and it is expected when the official figures are completed it will be proved that the attendance outnumbered that of last Saturday. Lord Northcote, the Governor-General, and Sir Uenry Rawson, the State Governor, were among those present,. Tho exposition of 'football by the visitor.*! showed remarkable fever__al of flhni as compared with their two previous* displays. The play, While not as brilliant all round as that some of the former teams have given was still worthy of the reputation of the Dominion's football prowess, ahd it must be remembered too, that no previous team has ever had to contend with such greatly "improved Rugby play on the part of Australia playeif/fIS haa been put forward in the present tour; The Australia..! team played .under the combined colors of New South Wales and Queensland—blue and maroon. •Mr Alex. Brown was selected referee, 'and his decisions gave general satisfaction. One regrettable feature of the game was the number of casualties, the most sdrioiis beingf ihrft sustainedl by Coliuan, of New Zealand, who received a nasty wound on his head. The weather was fine though overcast. Owing to the time lost by accidents, play was much delayed, and it waa nearly dark when the Whistle sounded "jio side. " From tne very outset the All-Blaioks Shdw'ed that thei torpor whch had character ig)ed their previous efforts, had disappeared, and their alertnesjj and clocklike movement was a de* light to witness. Within the first three minutes .of the game the visitors had registered their first score, and their determination to retrieve Wednesday's defeat Was* sodn J*p J parent. The Australians were captained by: Burge. The New Zealanders were sucessful in the spin of the coin, and chose the northern goal. There was'a light breeze blowing across the ground, which gave no advantage to either side. Th^--Aus-tralians kicked off, but the New Zealanders quickly awarmed into the home territory, where Francis started a smart rush, and ably assisted by the others forwards, had their opponents penned down on the line, where Seeling got possssiori and bustled over, scoring firat blood. Wallace was given the kick at goal, but just failed to send the ball between the posit-*. New Zealand 3; Australia, (5. From the kick out some exciting play followed in neutral zone, and, Dixjwas prominent for his excellent line kicking. Gradually the scene of operations fras removed into the visitors' quarter^ chiefly by the aid of the local forwards, who were working the scrums rather better at this time Jthan their adversaries. While in their opponents' territory the home team were awarded a penalty kick, and Carmichael had a shot at goal, but tbe leather fell a trifle short. Mitchinson resumed the play, the ball going into the centre of the field, where play became very strenuous, and the All Blacks had several penalties recorded against them. Foot by foot the „ Australians again advanced towards New Zealand's goal, amid cheers from the multitude* and Car' michael, from a free kick, had another abortive try at goal - . The ball was returned outside 25, and from the line out the visitors secured tbe ball, and an exciting rush by them followed. For a tfme it appeared as if another scoie was certain, as Carmichael, the local full back, missed the ball, but McKwatt .whipped back and snapped it up just in time to save his side. Give and take play ensued in centre field for a time; then Mitchinson, from halfd istance got possession and with a beautiful, dodgy run, completely fooled the opposing backs, and crossed the line. Wallace Kicked an easy goal, and the board read— JNew Zealand 8, Australia 0. When in play again, there was a lot of tusselling in the centre of the ground without much material advantage to either side.' Here Rosewell, one of the local team, received an injury to his leg, and his place in the field was taken by Graves, Carmiohael going up from full back to threequarters, relieving Dix, who took the position of fullback. For a long interval the game was confined within the home team's lineß, Dix saving opponents' getting in on several occasions. Eventually the Australians were relieved by a free kick given against the All Blacks, Ifand play was taken to their end. It was here, during a hot strugle that Coleman received a nasty kick on the head, which necessitated his leaving the field, and J. Spencer, of Wellington, took his place on the wing. The game was notgallowed to remain in New Zealander s half, the scene was shifted by a good run ' by Wallace, who ended by passing to Fryer, the ball eventually going out. Another brief interval now took place, owing to one of the home team, Barnett, ricking his ankle. Richards, of Queensland, was put on in his place. The Australians were being sorely pressed by the visitors, but they obtained occasional relief in free kicks awarded against the New Zealanders. A little later on the visitois set in another rush, and Roberts passed to Mynott, thence to Hunter, and on to Mitchinson, the latter handed the ball along to Wallace, who, in a few seconds, passed it back to Mitchinson almost on the touch line. It was a • magnificent piece of passing, and Mitchinson lost no time in streaking for the goal line, which he successfully reaohed. Wallace added the major points, and then the whistle sounded half time, with the score reading— New Zealand 13, Australia 0. As the second spell opened the

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light' l , began * to fail, and the Nev Zealanders soon had their opponent: on the defensive again, but, ona moro were the local team relieved b; the aid of a free kick. : For a tiny they managed to get play out o dangerous quarters, but ' surely however, they were forced back inti their "own ground, Dixs kickinj keeping tho enemy ih check. Pin; was very fast, and free kicks plenti ful, chiefly against the All Blacks A fine rush by the visiting forwards who were putting great heart int< their^ work, carried New Zealanc down to Australia's line, and < i penatly gave Wallace a shot afc goal but the ball went wide. Time^anc again the Australians endeavorec desperatelv'to invade New Zealand'! line, but the latter's back play, anc fice judgment easily disposed oJ them. Another hoe rush was started by the visitors; tind Oaimicbael making a bad mistake, enabled Hughes to fpick up the ball and run in. Wallace placed a goal comfortably, the third in succession. Score —New Zealand 18 to nil. The kici* out was followed by an interval ol uninteresting play, of which neither s ; do had much the best. The Australians were rushing' down re peatedlv, butJWew. Zealand backs were content with taking marks, sending the ball out near centre. The local men appeared to be sluggish in their movements, but this May haye been more apparent than real, arid by comparison with the rapidity of their opponents. It was while the New Zealand backs were content to quietly stave off their opponents inside the visitor' ground that Carmichael got his chance off a free kick, and placing a goal, drew blood io* Australia.— New Zealand 18, Australia 3. This score caused the visitors to change their tactics and they at once shifted play into the home team's 25 and from a long line out New Zealand got the Australians up against their back line and compelled them to force down. The ball was no sooner in play than js?<_v? Zealand had it back again. The ians gritting on A smart dribbling rush that looked dangerous, but tbe opposing forstrain was relieved by the - Australwaids broke it up and took the ball at foot back into home teriitory and narrowly missed ending up witb a score. The Australians rallied and with another rush bad the AllBlauks on the defensive. From a great struggle in New Zealand's quarters the local . men obtained^ a mark and Carmichael was again successful in piloting the ball between the posts, by a brilliant kick from just infside half way. Tbis second score on tbe part of the home team caused a terrific outburst of cheering. New Zealand 18, Australia 6. Immediately the game was resumed Hew Zealand invaded their [opponent!?' ground, and here the finest try of the day was obtained.- Mitchinson got possession of the ball and made a long pass in front of Austra iia's goal post, Roberts whipped it on to Hunter, Mitchinson in the meantime 'had dashed across the gound and got round in time to accept a pass from Hunter and dashnd over the line. Wallace was again successful with in registering a goal Hew Zctalattd 23, Australia 6. Aus tralia at this timd was In a bad way and though they fought on gamely they were hopelessly out of the hunt. The ball was not long in play | when the scene of operations was again in Australia's quarters, where Francis ?ecured possession, and, dodging through, secured the sixth try for the visitors.|lt*-W£is a difficult angle land Wallace failed at goal. New Zealand 26, Australia 6. Towards the finish the Australians pressed the All--3lacks into their own 25, and worked, like Trojans to get a further score, but the defence was too good, and when the whistle sounded "no side " the game stood —New Zealand 26, Australia 6. The Australians failed to. cross tha visitors' line, their score being made from a penalty kick and from a mark. On the other hand, New Zealand crossed their opponents' line on no less than six occasions, tries being obtained by JMitchinson three), Seeling, Hughes and Francis. On each occasion Wallace was enrusted with the kick at goal scoring goals from each of those scored by Mitchinson and Hughes, four out of sis, Klanra Received July 22, 0.45 a.m Sydney July 21. .A motion will be submitted to the Rugby Union to-morrow night suggesting that in the event of Australia losing the second test match at Brisbane tbe third test match at Sydney should be abandoned and a match.against New South Wales substituted. . . The New Zealanders left for Brisbane .to-night. Hunter is suffering from " an attack of influenza and Mynott stays behind to look after him. Colman was able to go to Brisbane. Received July 21 4.30 p.m. The turnstiles recorded the attendance at the match as just on fifty thousand. The takings amounted to £2400. * | Received July 21, 4.43 p.m. Coleman received a uaßty wound in the back of the bead necessitating several Btitches. He is progressing satisfactorily. ' Swanell attributes the Australian debacle to the bad selection. In the tight scrimmages the teams were pretty evenly matched, the advantage in open and line out play being with New Zealand, but in the back division the New Zealanders were streets ahead of their opponents.