FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13481, 22 July 1907, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

NEW ZEALAND v. AUSTRALIA.

"ALL BLACKS" WIN EASILY.

United Press Association — By Electric

Telegraph. — Copyright.

SYDNEY, July 20,

The first of the test matches of the present tour between Australia and New Zealand was played this afternoon. Another monster crowd thronged the Cricket Ground to witness the game.

The extra space adjoining the pavilion was thrown open to the public. The turnstiles recorded the attendance as just on 50,000. The takings amounted to £2400.

Lord Northcote, Governor-General, and Sir Harry Rawson, State Governor, Avere among those present.

The exposition of football by the visitors showed a remarkable reversal of form as compared with their two previous displays. The play, wiiile not as brilliant all round as. that of some of the former teams have given, was still worthy of the reputation of New Zealand's football prowess. It .must be remembered, too, that no previous team has ever had to contend with such greatly improved Rugby play on the part of Australian players as has been put forward in the present tour.

The Australian team played under the combined coldurs of New South Wales and Queensland (blue and maroon).

Mr Alex. Brown was elected referee, and his decisions gave general satisfaction.

One regrettable feature of the match was the number of casualties, the most serious being that sustained by Colman, of Taranaki,who received a nasty wound on the head.

The weather was fine, though overcast. Owing to the time lost by accidents, the play was much delayed, and it was nearly dark when the whistle sounded "no side."