ECHOES OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN VISIT

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 6, 9 February 1907, Page 20

ECHOES OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN VISIT

A meeting between New Zealanders and these victorious "Springboks” naturally suggests itself as the most interesting Rugby thing that could happen, a veritable meeting of Greek and Greek, the issue of which is the more questionable because, while the New Zealanders are singularly versatile in tactics ami ingenious in adopting formations to meet circumstances, the South Africans play steadily, as well as bril Jiantly, according to the older English dispositions and movements. —Sydney “Daily Telegraph. ’’ This is how “The Philistine” describes MeLear's try in the South- AfricaIreland match: The panorama of the event is printed in indelible ink on the tablets of the memory. The mental eye can see McLear scooping up the ball from a loose scrummage in his own twentyfive. He made a start, but seemingly, was about to stumble. He broke away from several men as lie crashed along, almost floundering. Then he found his feet, ami began to sprint. To see him covering yards and yards of the ground was an exhilarating experience. Every inch of turf compassed sent the blood throbbing up the thermometer of hope. Louhser was seen careering after the stalwart son of Erin, and wc>who knew the African's speed wondered whether he would catch his opponent. But McLear appeared to have wings on his feet. He Hew along wiili mighty bounds, and Loubscr could not catch him. Then Joubert had to be reckon'd with. He was waiting warily, and the idol of South Africa made an at tempt .to stay M< Lear's progress. But a big man on the wing taxi's a lot of stopping, and McLear's Strong right band went out', and Joubert

was among the milestones of the match. He was passed and lieaten, and McLear continued his triumphant career to the line. He did not hesitate for a moment. Down went the ball, and up went the screams of success. The spectators went delirious with delight. Hats and umbrellas were Hung in the air ami recovered afterwards, while the cynical man sat and sighed and wondered why McLear had not gone a little further and put the ball down behind the posts. They sighed and wondered more when they saw the kick at goal fail.

It has been said that both the New Zealanders and the South Africans throw the ball about too wildly. We in England have an esp.eial horror of the intercepted pass (says Major Philip Trevor, in “Country Life’’). It is our football bogey, and, whatever else we are inclined to risk, we are disinclined to risk that. The New Zealanders and the South Africans both act on the assumption of the right man in the right place, and, if nothing succeeds like success, they are certainly well justified in doing so.

In America, up to the present, this season, 11 football players have been killed and 104 injured, as against 18 killed and 159 injured in 1905.