FOOTBALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8984, 18 July 1907, Page 1

FOOTBALL.

■. _ + THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM. gECOND MATCH AGAINST NEW SOUTH WALES. I NEW ZEALANDERS BADLY DEFEATED. United Press Association — By Electric Telegraph— Copyright. (Received July- 17/8.8 p.m.) t SYDNEY, July 17. The weather was fine to-day, but a keen southerly wind was blowing. About 25,000 persons, including Lord Korthoote, were present at the match. M' Ware replaced Waddell in the local team. Several changes were made in the New Zealand team, owing to slight injuries to some of t&e -jraembejre and Co other causes. Booth -(iihreeHquarter), Jsckhold (five-eighth), Colman (wing), Paton and Spencer (forwards), replaced Mitchin&on, Mynott, Gillett, Seeling »nd O' Sullivan respectively. On Saturday the New South Welshmen made many mistakes which preTented a closer finish than was accomplished, but to-day they profited by their mistakes, and gave an exposition »f Rugby that it would be difficult to find fault with. Their passing was nlean and good, and their scrums expelled those of New Zealand every time. The ball was got out in a workmanlike manner and splendidly handled by the backs, while the visitors rarely got possession, so that their backs had ■eldom an opportunity to show their mettle. On the few occasions the ball ftame their way apparently they did not know what to do with it. In the second 6pell the New South Wales territory was virtually a desert, for the number of times the New Zealanders Dould be seen there cbuld be counted on the fingers of one hand. It ie a record, too, for New Zealand not to score at all. They have been beaten before, but never by a love game. The Blacks won the toss, and took advantage of the strong wind from the Southern end. The Blues made an iearly start by a good dribbling rush which Wallace only succeeded in stopping in the nick of time. Play was removed to the centre, but the Blues were soon again at their opponents, when Roberts, by a good kick, got the ball into the enemy' 6 quarters. A Black rush was stopped by Messenger,

Rheumo has permanently cured fchou•ands of sufferers from rheumatism, fout, sciatica, and lumbago. It will cure you. All stores, 2s 6d and 4s 6d. Give it a trial. 1 Gout is really a special form of rheufcnatism caused by excess urio acid in the blood. Whether your gout is acute «r chronic, Rheumo will cure you. IAU stores. 2 *

and the game removed to the neutral zone for a time, and then Coleman headed another rush at the local side's goal-line. When within the twentyfive yards mark there appeared a prospect of his getting in, but he lost his foothold, and a tough tussle ensued in the local territory, which was only re--1 lleved by the Blues being awarded a free kick, and a long return by Spencer compelled the New South Welshmen to force. The Blacks continued to force the pace, but the brilliant kicking of Dix kept the attackers at bay. A free kick to New Zealand gave Wallace a shot at goal, but the ball was cleverly intercepted and a dangerous Blue rush was set in motion. It appeared as if a score was imminent, but a faulty pass spoilt the home team's manoeuvre for a time. As the result of a desperate struggle on the visitors' line M'Cue just battled across and drew first blood for the home team. The shot at goal was from a difficult angle, and the additional points were not secured. New South Wiiles, 3 ; New Zealand 0. Almost immediately the game was resumed the Blues placed the Blacks again on the defensive, but the tension for a time was relieved by a free kick to the visitors. The All Blacks were playing a hard game, but it lackjed "devil," and the Blues continued to press them hard, the visitors being forced twice in quick succession. Down again charged the home team, and the Blacks w&re once more in difficulties. Try as they would the New South, Wales men swarmed all over them, and Russell, getting possession, slipped over the line. Messenger was entrusted with the 6hot at goal, which was unsuccessful. New South Wales, 6 ; New Zealand, 0. New Zealand could not carry warfare out of their own ground, and were kept busily defending their line until the whistle sounded half-time, without further addition to the score. The local fifteen had a great ovation for the success they had so far achieved. The 6ecund spall was begun by Francis kicking woll down the iield, and immediately the Blues began the attack by a rush from the centre of the field, which ended in a scrum in front of the New Zealand poses, the ball coming out to Russell, who whipped it on to Messenger. It was an exciting moment as ' both Spencer and Hunter closed on Messenger, but he dived low between them and secured the third try for his side., He took the kick himself and sent the ball between the posts. New South Wales, 11 ; New Zealand, 0. The local men were now playing like a machine, no opportunities being given and no chances thrown away. Tiie New Zealand attacking was defective. They were demoralised. Certainly they made the game willing enough, but there were no tactics.. It was a disorganised defence. The forwards tried desperately to relieve the position, but their opponents had them well in hand, and a fine run by Russell was only stopped by Spencer when a certain score appeared imminent. New Zealand forced the play still persistently, but were kept in their own territory, and they were only able to keep the Blues from scoring. The , All Blacks had struck a hornets' nest. It was the hottest thing ever put up by the local team. The enthusiasm of the onlookers was roused to an intense pi ■"•■eh, and the applause was deafening when Messenger placed a beautiful goal from a mark. New South Wales, 14 • New Zealand, 0. The concluding few minutes witnessed the too rare spectacle of the New Zealanders invading New South Wales territory. They tried hard to force a passage, but the defence of the home team was just as excellent as the attack had been. Roberts secured a mark in a likely place, but Wallace placed the ball on the outside of the post. It was the Blacks' only chance in the game to get a score, and it was denied them. The whistle bounded without further score. It was a brilliant victory for a brilliant team.