FOOTBALL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 90, 16 April 1929, Page 4

FOOTBALL

WORLD-RENOWNED TRY ALL BLACKS AGAINST WALES. In the course of the following article written for “Sporting Life” by C. W. Packford, mention is made of the disputed try 5n the All Blacks v. Wales match in 1905. A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of unexpectedly meeting Dr P. F. McEvedy, who has been in practice in ■Wellington, New Zealand, for the last 20 years, and who was ‘‘home” on three months’ leave. Wo naturally discussed little else but Rugger, and McEvcdy, who once played for Guy’s Hospital, secured an Irish trials “cap,” and toured Australia and New Zealand in 1904, referred to many of the outstanding players with whom ho was associated. Hc played with and against many whoso names aro household words among Rugger men, and one of those to whom he referred in the highest possible terms was E. T. “Toddy”) Morgan, of Brecon, Guy’s Hospital, London Welsh, and Wales. Winning Try. ‘“Teddy,” whose young nephew,! Guy, is now captain of Cambridge Uni-1 versify, and, like his distinguished j uncle, has played for, and is still playing for, Wales, will always be remembered for the historic winning try ho scored against the 1905 All Blacks at Cardiff, which resulted in the only defeat of that wonderful combination that many believe to be superior to that of the undefeated team of .1925. That great struggle, one of the most memorable in the annals of the game, was one that New Zealanders to this day do not believe should go down to their records as a reverse. And. like the superb sportsman he is, “Toddy” Morgan himself is among those who arc of the same opinion. Since the game. Dr Morgan has written on this much-debated point: “It was T who tackled the late R. G, Deans on that occasion,” Im tells us, “but what happened I cannot exactly tell.” Morgan’s Opinion. “All I know is that as I tackled him I distinctly saw the white goal line beneath me, and, yet, when I got off Dean’s legs, he was holding on to the ball, with two others of our side about a foot inside the field of play. “The referee, J. D. Dallas, of Scotland, came running up from the grandstand side, but had not seen what happened after the tackle, and the try was disallowed.” “Several of the players, including myself and A. Llewellyn, the Welsh touch judge, believe that Deans scored, although it must be remembered that Wales deserved to win on the day’s play. ’ ’ Apart from the big part “Teddy” played in this game of games, he rendered Wales excellent service during a period when the Principality placed team after team into the field of real ability. In 1905, in addition to defeating New Zealand, they overcame each of the other nations, and in 1908—although Morgan only played against France in this season—they defeated England. Scotland, Ireland. France and Dr 11. Al. Moran’s Australian team that during their tour prevailed at the expense of England. When He Staged. Alorgan first played for Wales in 1902, participating in all three engagements of that season. lie, however, was only able to take his place in the .1903 team against Ireland, but in 1904, 1905, and 1906 did not miss a single encounter. As he played against France in 1908 —the first occasion on which the two countries met— and against South Africa in 1907, “Teddy” had the distinction of representing his country against six different nations, a performance that has not yet been excelled, and may never bo. While “Teddy” was an extremely clover wing, h e would bo the first to admit that hc owed much to the two centres with whom he played the most frequently These were Rhys T. Gabo and A. B. O’Brien, of Guy’s Hospital, two mon of great skill, who know instinctively the correct moment when to deliver the ball to their partner. Perhaps three of the finest wings •Wales have ever given us were Alorgan, T. AV. Pearson and Al. AV. Llewellyn, the latter being a member of the same internation side as Morgan on many occasions. TJewllyn commenced his career some three years before Alorgan, and played altogether 20 times for AVales against the 16 of his great friend. Alorgan was undoubtedly faster than Llewellyn, hut he never relied on speed alone in an attempt to roach the opponents’ lino. He frequently would break inwards when at full stretch, and a favourite and successful manoeuvre of his was to feint to swerve and then continue tn go full speed ahead These tactics

brought him many tries. Alorgan had not only a successful and brilliant career, but an enjoyable one With A. B. O’Brien hc engaged in many strenuous and happy games with Guy’s Hospital; he was associated with many AVelsh triumphs in the international campaign, and he undertook a pleasurable colonial tour. Pleasure Trip. He always remembers with pleasure his visit to Australia and New Zealand with D. R. Bodcll-Sivright’s team in 11)04, when so severe wore the struggles, and so hard the grounds, that only one member of the side—A. F. Harding—played in all of the 19 games, AVhile “Teddy” Alorgan made history in one classic encounter, for which he will never be forgotten, hc will always be remembered as one of those mon who placed AVales on the highest Rugby pedestal. A “Teddy” Alorgan to-day would bo a godsend in AVales. a Alorgan-Gabe wing would be regarded as a sportinn miracle, but, unfortunately, in the passing of time, such combinations occur at all too rare intervals, and wo must remain satisfied at having had the delightful experience of seeing such men in action.