RUGBY MATCH.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 834, 4 June 1910, Page 6

RUGBY MATCH.

ALL-BLACKS VERSUS WELLINGTON WIN FOR THE 'TOURISTS. , ARE THEY OVER ESTIMATED? Despite tho unsettled weather yesterday afternoon between 6000 and 7000 people attended the trial of strength at tho Athletic Park between the "All Blacks," who were about to sail for Australia, and a Wellington representative team. It was not anticipated, in view of their pending engagements, . that the "All Blacks" would fully extend themselves on the occasion, but the Wellington team kept them pretty busy right up to the call of time, with the result that a good idea of the capabilities of the "tourists" was obtainable.

Forwards: Front rank, Ridland (Southland), Bligh (West Coast); lock, Paton (Otago); supports, Patterson (Otago), Francis (Auckland); back row, Budd (South Canterbury), and A. Wilson (Wellington). WELLINGTON. Full-back: Thomas (St. James). Three-quarters: Dawson (Old Boys), Bradley (St. James), Mathoson (Orientals). Five-eighths: Evenson (Athletics), Walshe (Ponelce). Half: Tilyard '(Poneke). Wing Forward: Avery, captain (Old Boys). Forwards: Front rank, Elliott (Poneke) and Irvine . (Atliletics) ;lock, E-apson (Athletics); supports, Tannahill (Hutt) I and Perry (Orientals); back row, Bruce (St. 'James), and M'Farlane (Petone). . i

for the next ten minutes wero strong on the attack, their rearguard assisting tho forwards admirably. Prom a penalty for a scrum infringement, Stohr at this juncture kicked a grand goal. New Zealand 11 ' Wellington 6 It was not long, however, before the Wellington forwards went on a dangerous rush, and Stohr, to save, was only able to kiek straight out of bounds. Then followed a scramble, from which Bruce registered a meritorious try. Eveiisoa just failed with the kick. New Zealand". 11 Wellington 9 Almost immediately afterwards O'Leary got his side into difficulties again by waiting for the bounce. From a scrum Tilyard passed to Evcnson, who kicked high towards the New Zealand line, and after a brief scramble Dawson got through. Thomas failed to enhance the score. Wellington 12 New Zealand 11 The Second Spell. Not long after the second spell be-

There was an unusual amount of scoring in the contest (which ended —New Zealand, 26; Wellington, 17 points), but it was not marked by a great deal of exceptional play. On tho whole, tho "All Blacks" of 1910 cannot upon their showing yesterday be classed as highly as some previous Now Zealand sides. Of course they could not. he expected -to appear to any great advantage because they had not had a game togethor, or even any practice verk together. It may probably' be suggested that the teams which they will meet are not likely to bo as formidable as sides met in Australia on previous tours, owing to the inroads of tho Northern Union game there, but 'this sort of theorising is sometimes dangerous. ■ ■■■,-••. Upon their showing■•' yesterday, tho "All Black" forwards were good on the line-out. Their scrumming, however, lacked cleverness. Undoubtedly, the weakest point in regard to tho vanguard was in connection .with their following up in tho loose. On tho other hand, they were formidable when in the vicinity of their opponents' goalline. As regards the back play, it was not marked by as much versatility as one would have liked, whilst the pace was, except in one or two instances, notably that of Fuller, not up to the requisite standard. It perhaps would not have been a bad thing if two or three additional backs had been taken to Australia. Upon yesterday's showing the strongest combination of backs among' the chosen players would appear to be: J. Ryan, at full-back ;■ Fid-

OUTLINE OF THE PLAY. Soon after the kick-off Wellington, -who had the advantage of the wind, began to attack. In their efforts they wero greatly aided, owing to the fact that at first they, invariably beat New Zealand for the ball in tho scrams. Two ineffectual bouts of neat passing on tho "open" side were, tried, and then Tilyard attempted the "blind" side, but it did not work.' From a scrum Roberts, in his own twenty-five, sent out an' indifferent pass, and anything might have happened, when Mitcliinson, like a flash, secured possossion an dsliot up field to half-way, whero he passed to A. Wilson. Fuller, Mitchinson (again), Patton, and Fuller (again), handled the oval, with the result that tho last named scored easily behind tho- posts. O'Leary made no mistake with the kick.. ... : New Zealand 5 , Wellington 0 Scoro No. 2 eventuated almost immediately afterwards, but it was gained by Wellington. Owing to O'Leary failing to gather, in from a, high kick, there was a scramble near the New Zealand line, where Avery was prominent, and a moment later Bradley dropped over in a good position, taking the kick.himself, Bradley caught the ball on the side and it went wide. New Zealand ._ 5 Wellington 3 Within the next few minutes Evenson Indeed a fine penalty goal. Wellington ;. . 6 ' New Zealand 5

gan Avery caused a good deal of excitement by cutting off a pass from Roberts to Fuller, and running strongly up the field, but his pass out was not accepted. New Zealand, however, returned to tho attack, with the result that Mynott .found a breach in the Wellington defence, and enabled Fuller to scoro. Stohr, taking tho ball. well back, enhanced with a capital kick. Now Zealand 16 Wellington 12 Then followed what was undoubtedly tho best scoro of the day. The "All Blacks" werq on the attack, when Bradley in his own twenty-fivo cut in, and setting under way rapidly, transferred, iuut past half-way to Evenson, who gained a runaway try behind the posts. M'Farlano showed that he could bo safely entrusted with tho kick. Wellington 17 New Zealand 16 With about 20 minutes to go, Stohr left the field, as he had received a knock on the point of his shoulder, and tliericoforward the New Zealand team played with only 14 men, the additional' work being placed on Fullor's shoulders. Roberts and I<\ Wilson then treated the spectators to some good passing, but no score resulted. A little later, however, when the New Zealand team wero pressing, Paton got over, but failed to convert. New Zealand 19 Wellington 17 From this out tho Wellington team played very much harder, especially the forwards, "and as the "All Blacks" woro inclined-to take things; somewhat easier, play was more even—in fabt, at

ler, Mitchinson, and Stohr, as the three-quarter lino; Mynott and Roberts, as the five-eighths; and Burns, as half. If the "tourists' , meet a fast clever pack, who make a point of keeping the game open, it may take them all their time to win. THE TEAMS. Following wero the teams:— NEW ZEALAND. Full-back: O'Leary (Auckland). Throe-quarters: Stohr (Taranaki), Mitcbinson (Wellington), Wilson (Auckland). Five-eighths: Mynott (Taranaki), Fuller (Canterbury). Half: Roberts (Wellington). Wing Forward: Rvans (Hawko's Bay).

For a time the "All Blacks" now had the upper hand. Getting a mark in the AV'olilngton twenty-five, Stohr centred under the Wellington goal post, and the upshot was that the übiquitous Fuller secured from the resultant scramble, and had no difficulty in crossing th<S>, 'Wellington lino. O'Leary's kick was futile. .- New Zealand 8 Wellington 6 Twenty minutes had now elapsed, and New Zealand began to get a fair share—and more—of the ball from the scrums. At this stage piay was enlivened by a humorous incident. Avery broke clean away with the oval at his toes, but when he had got twenty-live yards, he noticed the flag was up. Not so Evenson, however,j for the Athletic player in blissful ignorance of the fact that the ball had gone into touch, shot ahead ofAvery, and was about to score as ho thought, when hearty laughter by the crowd indicated to him that something wus wrong. New Zealand

times Wellington should have scored. On one occasion the Wellington vanguard, headed by Avcry and Bruce, transferred play from 35 to 25 almost in the twinkling of an eye. It was magnificent, and it was good football. As the game progressed the "All Blacks" again exerted themselves, and when they had , driven Wellington into their twenty-five, I' , . Wilson, instead of continuing a passing rush, potted a neat goal. New Zealand 23 Wellington 17 Free-iind-eiisy play followed for tho next few minutes, individual efforts being more conspicuous than concerted movements. Just at tho close of tho game, F. Wilson kicked high into Wellington 'territory. Roberts,. who luirl .followed up promptly, passed to Fuller, and on the ball went in turn to Francis and Mitchinson, tho latter getting across without much difficulty. Francis made a good attempt to convert. And so tho contest ended:—

Now Zealand 26 points AVellington 17 points Mr. Francis, the referee, gave every satisfaction with his rulings, but he was not over-prompt with tho whistle. THE PLAYERS CRITICISED. As regards tho players, taking the "All Blacks" first, tho display given by O'Loary at full-back could not be regarded as satisfactory. His fielding in the early stages of the game was poor, and on a number of occasions he failed on the defence, chiefly through waiting for the ball to bounce. Of the three-quarters, Mitchinson caught tho eye of the spectators most. There can be no doubt that he has not played better this year, and it was pleasing to his many admirers to see an occasional glimpse of the brilliant play for which he was noted a couple of seasons back. F. AVilson is smart in his movements, but he had not a, great many chances. On his latest showing he strikes one as being more formidable on the attack than on defence. For some reason of another Stohr, who has plenty of pace, did not play up to tlie standard which was anticipated. On several occasions his defence was anything but convincing; he seemed far too careful of him-

8. C. Smith, Photo (Protected.) NEW ZEALAND REPRESENTATIVE FOOTBALL TEAM. ■ BACK ROW:—V. Meredith (Manager), M'Guire (Auckland), Francis (Auckland), Bligh (West Coast), D. Evans (Hawke's Bay), Budd, (South Canterbury), Paton (Otago), Patterson (Otago), D. M'Kellar (Wellington), J. Ryan (Wellington), Ivimey (Otago). FRONT ROW:—Burns (Canterbury), Ridland (Southland), "Ranji" Wilson (Wellington), F. Mitcliinson (Wellington), P. Roberts (Wellington), S. Mynott (Taranaki), Stohr (Taranaki), J. O'Leary (Auckland), Wilson (Auckland), Fuller (Canterbury).

self altogether. As usual, Fuller was a host in himself. Indeed, without this clever and versatile player, the team would be badly oft.' He received all kinds of. passes, but he always made a capital shot to gather in the oval, and his display was marked by the utmost unselfishness. Mynott was in fine fettle, and worked reasonably hard, but his play lacked his former pace, and was not without serious blemishes, one of the worst being his erratic passing. Upon his showing— and, indeed, taking the whole of his games this season —Roberts is not the lioberts of 1905-6. He certainly opened up the game very .well at times, but he took chances, of a: kind which ~more capable opponents would soon turn ■to account. Of the forwards the. front row 'men, -Ridland and Bligh, were anything' but successful at first,' but later made ample amends in their department.- It was noticeable that none of tho "stars"—Francis, Paton, or Patterson—were fully extended, although they worked hard. Upon his showing Evans is not a wonder, bokg beaten repeatedly by Avery, but ho is expected to play himself into better form. Budd was fairly industrious throughout, whilst Wilson showed to advantage by tho way in which he assisted the rearguard.

Turning to the Wellington team, it was noticeable that Thomas, at fullback, did not play nearly so well as I was , the' case last Saturday, when his side, St. James, disposed of Poneke. Time and again, when the; ball was kicked over his head, the . bounce seemed to trouble him. His tacklkig, also, was below par. Bradley was easily the best among the three-quarter backs, and without doubt more will be heard of him soon. Neither of his colleagues,, however, turned out "trumps," Matheson in particular being disappointing. Evenson must be credited with a valuable all-round game in which there were patches of really brilliant play. Walshe did a lot of rough work on the defence, but his attacking qualities were not of a high standaird. For variety of method and eagerness to do his level beet, TilyarS : must be commended. Of the forwards the hookers did fairly well, considering that they had not previously beeJi associated in that department. Rapson kept the scrum together well, but otherwise did not shine. Brace's collaring of the opposing backs was a treat to watch,' and with Tannahill he was also in the van. Neither Perry nor jM'Farlane distinguished themselves.

THE SEND-OFF. The' football hero and his satellite, the hero worshipper, were greatly in evidence on the Queen's ; AVharf yesterday evening previous to the departure of the Union Company's steamer Jlaitai, which is carrying the New Zealand representatives to Sydney. A number of prominent officials of the Rugby Union were present amongst the big crowd, and the voyagers were given aclvico in plenty and a hearty farewell. THE "CURTAIN-RAISER." LACROSSEURS AT WORK. While the turnstiles at the Athletic Park were revolving briskly yesterday afternoon, and people were crowding into the grandstand or taking up positions on the bank, to view the Now Zealand-Wellington Rugby match, aai exhibition of lacrosse was given by local players by way of "raising the curtain" on the football contest. Inasmuch as the Canadian game fs not very well known to the local public, the management thoughtfully placed in the official programmes a short summary .of the rules. The Blue tea.m, which included some of- the most experienced of local players, maintained an advantage over their opponents throughout, but among the Black ranks thoro wore several who showed proficiency both in attack and defence. It was a clean gn.mo, at times fast and oxciting, and goaJs obtained by either side were cheered by tlio gathering spectators. For two or threo minutes towards tho close of the- gamo the plnyors rallied, and both teams exerted thomsolvos to tho utmost, tossing the ball about with bowUdoring rapidity. The teams woro as follow:—A team (Black): Ponlington. jMoraii, Couxtcnay, O'Leary, Jordan, Nash, Ronlrin, Ryder, Grant, Casey; Montgomery, and Robinson. B team (Bluo): M'Carthy, Firth, Borrodale, Woodgcr, Fa-ma, Loydon, NeaJe, Carver, Webb, Proud, Meyer, and Martin. The match resulted in a win for the B team by 13.points to 8. Tho scorers

for the B team were Borrodale, Woodger, Fama, 31'Oarthy, Leydon, and Nea-le, and good work was also done for the winners by Martin and Meyer. Those who scored for the losers wore Casey, Montgomery, Robinson, and Ryder. Coiixtanay also pLnyod a useful game for the defeated sido. Mr. R. W. MiUar was the referee.