ALL BLACKS’ DEFEAT.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 December 1935, Page 6

ALL BLACKS’ DEFEAT.

The match between the All Blacks and Wales was expected to be the hardest match of the tour, and so it has proved to be, at any rate out of those so far contested. Though beaten, the New Zealanders were by no means disgraced, and from the cabled reports it appears that the huge crowd of 50,000 people who attended were pleased with the day’s football. No doubt the bare margin in favour of the home team made the crowd a great deal more pleased than if the result had been the other way, but that is a psychology not peculiar to Wales. It seems plain that the All Blacks were beaten by a definitely superior team, and that they cannot claim ill luck, except perhaps in. the fact that Caughey was not available, and’ consequently Oliver was forced to play out of position. The prevalent opinion about the team when it left New Zealand is borne out by Saturday’s match. Though speaking generally the touring team was outplayed, the forwards on the whole held their own, and in one department of the game, securing the ball from the scrum, were superior to Wales. The deciding factor was the margin of superiority of the Welsh backs, who outclassed New Zealand on both attack and defence. At no stage on the tour have the backs been a very impressive combination, and one is forced to the conclusion that the material simply is nof there. It is no use at this stage making excuses, even if it is believed by many people that better men were left behind than those chosen to travel. The tour has shown up New Zealand football in its true light as compared with the standard of the game in the British Isles. The final test match against England will be

another useful indication, and no doubt the tour has provided several lessons the application of which will set the development of the game in the Dominion along the right road.