THE ALL BLACKS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18229, 13 November 1924, Page 11

THE ALL BLACKS.

A PERFECT DAY.

THE SWANSEA MATCH.

(By A. J. Harrop.)

(Special Representative of 'The Press.")

SWANSEA, September 27

C-c-ming away from the it. Helen s ground this afternoon I felt that I had been present at one of the most astounding games of Rugby ever played—even in Wales whero many oi the most historic games have been played. | Apicng the curious medley of, sensations produced by tho game prido was undoubtedly dominant. No New Zcalander could have witnessed tho game without being proud of tho men who represented his country. They played a magnificent game in a magnificent spirit and confeunded many critics who had ranked them as merely a mediocre side. , , ■_ It was the first- match I had seen m Wales—the first- time I had seen a huge crowd of Welshmen gathered to cheer their champions and sing their national hvmn. It was »■ monioraWo scene when, just beforo tho teams were due to line out. the whole gathering stood and sang the Welsh National Anthem. Tho sound has chilled the hearts of many visiting teams, but our own men were much too pleased at being grain<e.l a fine day to be overawed by the fervour of the multitude of spectators. One of them said to rac as we were travelling to the match from Newport: "It will take a good deal to chtll us in this weather." Ka was right. Tremendous Excitement. The excitement was tremendous, when the All lilac's kicked <.€, for, bo it remembered, most people thought that Swansea would be a tough proposition for our side. They had been undergoing special training in secret ior over a fortnight, and they did not- disclose their team till two hours before the match. It was felt that some great device woyld surely emerge from so formidable a barrage. The game in its early stages closely resembled tho other games of the tour. New Zealand attacks were frequent, but -'they went astray at the crit'cai moment. There were also a few incipient rushes from the opposition which had to be repulsed. One of our numerous passing rushes was in progress when Mark Nicholls saw a good_ opportunity to drop a goal, which lie did "with the utmost coolness. This was treating Swansea to a characteristic Welsh medicine and must also have revived tender memories of the goal kicked by Wallace which saved New Zealand on the last occasion we met Swansea.'

Porter was here, there and everywhere in the subsequent play, and Bailor was playing a great game. We were relieved to see, tho All Blacks getting quite a lot of the ball from the set scrums —a very welcome change. Nicholl's goal stimulated tho team to fresh efforts, and Lucas got over at the end of a passing rush. It was now apparent tliat it wiicj onlv a ma.tter tf points—but still nt'body dreamed of what was to come.

Swansea's Swan-Song. We had 10 points on at half-fime and should have had many more. Steel and Lucas bo'th lost opportunities or scooring by knocking-on at critical times, but they soon atoned fcr these early errors. Brown scored early m the spell and then came the penalty goal by Swansea, caused by Nepia fumbling and being caught with the ball. The crowd yelled with delight, but it was Swansea's swan-song. The rest of the story will be tc.ld with hushed voices in Welsh homes for many a long year. How the All Blacks passed and re-pass-ed, attacked and counter-attacked, and ran with amazing speed through tho defence—how 'tlio All Whites were made to look like schoolboys—and how they suffered a defeat the like of which had never been fcnewn on the St. Helen's ground—by a Welsh side. The sight of the bright open gai;:3 played by the visitors must have stirred many memories of great Welsh teams in "action in the days when brains were accounted greater than brawn. For Swansea's side was but a shadow of its former self, and the margin of 89 points to three Mas if anything a merciful interpretation of their inferiCTi.tv to the New Zealanders. Perhaps the lesson of to-day will helti to drag Welsh club teams from tlie*~rufc which they appear to havo stuck. Of course, Newport are a different nroposition from Swansea, and anything may happen in that ma.tcli, particularly if it is wet, as it is almost sure to be.

Combined Brilliance. In summarising the game, it may bo affirmed that the All Blacks display was remarkable for combined brilliance rather than individual excellence—out. the individuals wero all brilliant and magnificently unselfish. Mot one oi them failed. to rise to the great occasion, and I would hesitate to Dick out any particular player as better than his colleagues. C. Brownlie, liowoer, clearly improved tho line-out work of the team which had previously been rather weak. Often he flicked the ball to Dallev and a passing rush was in progress before the "Welshmen realised what had happened. Nepia's kicking was_ phenomenal, bu;fc he gave us some anxious moments on occasions.

A GREAT CLIMB-DOWN.

ENGLISH PRESS AFTER THE SWANSEA MATCH. (IROX OCR OWX COK&ESPONDIKT.) LONDON, October 7. After the New Zealand Rugby team had beaten Swansea by 39 points to three the English football reporters were somewhat exercised in reversing their style without entirely losing dignity. The following are some of the more important comments in the London papers:—

♦•'Daily Chronicle": At last we have! seen the New Zealanders in their real form, and we are left amazed. The greatest impression I had after this game was.the speed and straight running of the visitors. It is their long suit, and it is the best asset a. team could possess. They are not superlatively clever; there was little exploitation of the dummy, little reverse passing. There is one thing about the New Zealand team worth recording. They vriii start attacks from any position and almost under any circumstances, and because of their speed they are able to do it. Porter is a great footballer, and he is as much a threc-qaarter as any of the others. He will probably prove to be every bit as good as his predecessor Gallahcr was 19 years ago. "Daily Express": It was the general opinion after the tourists had walked off winners by the cricket score of 39 points to three that they arc the finest combination from overseas ever seen in Great Britain. Their combination was so perfect that on many occasions the scorer of a try went over the lino without opposition, the last two men to receive

the ball being unmarkod. The manner in which they covered each other, especially in defence, was delightful, and their handling throughout reaehed a wonderful level of excellence.

"Sportsman": It is quite useless trying to make any comparison; the teams could not bo compared. Swansea were completely eclipsed and outclassed in every phase of the game—outpaced and out-manoeuvred l\v a cleverer, heavier, faster, and more brainy side. It is, in fact, doubtful whether any club side will be able to put up anything like a decent fight against the side which the Colonials put in the field against the "All Whites." They arc beyond doubt the best New Zealand team ever sent across the water.

"Daily Telegraph": It was ccrtainlv a great day for the winners, and a dazzling one to the spectators. It does not seem to matter, if only tho ground is dry. how they fill the places in their back division. The substitution of this individual for that is a mere personal item, the attacking policy remains the same. When they are beaten it will bo by a desperately clever side.

"The Times": Here, at last, was a comparison with the original All Blacks that was not odious. Just for a change, moreover, any feelings of disappointment had to be concentrated upon the hapless All Whites—embarrassed phantoms, if ever there were such creatures. "Daily Mail": In mud and rain in previous matches they had always won. but they had net always won convincingly. At Swansea, for the first time this tour, they had a dry ball and a dry ground, and they proved that with the weather handicap removed they are even worthy of comparison with their famous predecessors of 190«". Although tho home team held their own in the scrums—it was a case of eight men against seven—th«v were hopelessly outplayed by the backs. The New Zealanders wero cleverer, better together, and faster—abovo all clso they were fast. Even tho forwards had the pace generally left to three-quarters. "They are like so many flashes of lightning," cried an awed Welshman, and the compliment was deserved. They were a team of whom it could bo said that they thought in tries. They were always going for the line, direct, confident, and the backing up was of the 'finest. Tho man with the ball was always supported. Thero were friends waiting with ready hands whenever it became necessary for him to part with the ball. "Sunday Express": The winning team introduced any amount of variety into their play, their passing and interpassing being well-nigh perfect; in fact, at times thev practically left tho Welshmen standing. It is evident no team, iii this country can teach tho visitors anything in tho passing game. Tho All Blacks aro a great side, and will take. a lot of beating, even by an interpational team. I

"A GREAT SIDE."

TRIBUTE FROM WALES.

DR. "TEDDY" MORGAN'S

OPINION.

After tho violently-changing opinions of somo English Press critics, it may bo' ablo to gathor a better impression of how the All Blacks really are shaping from two articles contributed by tho old-time Welsh international, Dr. "Teddy" Morgan to ithe "Western Mail" (Cardiff). It was Dr. Morgan who scored for Wales in the great 1905 match. Touching first-op the visit of.BedellSievwright's Anglo-Welsh team (of which ho was a member) to New Zealand in 1904, the Welshman writes: — "In New Zealand we saw Eugby football at its very best. We suffered our first defeat of the tour at Wellington when we played All New Zealand, and a result of three tries to a ponalty goal against us was most flattoring to us. We were beaten again by Auckland. People at home have rio conception of the enthusiasm for Eugby in New Zealand. That shown in Wale 3 when tho Principality used to win her matches does not compare with New Zealand. If, I were asked where the real homo of Eugby football was I should unhesitatingly say Now Zealand.

'' The All Blacks of 19Qo were, 111 my opinion, the snest combination of "stars" that over played. The names of Gallagher, Wallace, Goorgo Smith, Dean, Hunter, Seoling, Koberts, etc., -will ev<?r bo remembered when games and players of the past are being,discussed.

"The people of Wales saw the-New Zealanders at the end of a most strenuous tour; Haw them barely beaten by a Welsh side which at time and at Cardiff, was invincible when pitted against any of the other countries. Later, with their wonderful record gone, they saw them just scramble home against Cardiff and Swansea. Had they come to Wales in the early part of their tour they would bavo returned to New Zealand with an unbeaten record. '

"The present sido have decided to visit Waloa first, but now their stiff cat task, I think, will be England at Twickenham. Already there arc many who would have us believe that this sido is not a great side, but X would assure them that they would not have been allowed to leave the shores of Xew Zealand were they not considered worthy successors to the All Blacks of 1905. The New Zealanders are a proud race, and better judges of football do not exist." After a passing reference to the Gloucester mf)tch, bo continues:"Their fielding, passing, and bandling of the wet ball gave one the impression that on a fine day they would have been irresistible, even against such doughty opponents as Gloucestershire. My impressions of the ploy are:

That tboy are a great side and worthy successors of the 1905 side. They have youth, brawn, and wonderful playing capabilities. No club side will beat tliem, and it will be a very fine international side that will hold them. Their match at Twickenham v. will be worth seeing. Their forwards arc an exceptionally lusty lot, and their methods are dashing. They adopt the old formation, but in this match they did not trap the ball as often as tho old side would have done, but their solid Tushes ,iii the loose, their line-out work, and their handling were excellent. Welsh backs are juet as lusty, just as thrustful, and just as difficult to stop, but it will be a good pack that will beat the All Black forwards.

Then, after the great Swansea victory of 39 points to three, Dr. Morgan wrote again: . . "To what a display of football t»ey treated us! Ail the scores t taincd by the most brilliant which forwards and ed. It was typical of W 20 years ago. We saw physically superior, much more c olleetively, *>* ot ~ *** <MmaXL> - 1

enta, and on store one MtaoSfltt ' : might easily fc&ve crossed tiK&r Issuer but long before the-cod weigkt, and cleverness told its tale, Swansea played desperately Se> - t£w bitter end. "It had beea freely stated Swansea, Newport, and likely elubs to lower tke the All Blades. Tie sane already decided, present team 1 ourable ' many years .!- j their play a«4 that so «M> will heat **» 12? bat Twickcnhaa my In tiafr Waterloo-"