N.Z. TOURING FOOTBALLERS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2207, 21 July 1914, Page 5

N.Z. TOURING FOOTBALLERS

COMMENTS ON SATURDAY'S GAME. By Aeaofliation— Oopyrlelit Sydneyi July 20. R. Roberts, captain of the New Zealand" Rugby team, summqd ,«P Sftturday's test matoh as follows was a hard! game, and should" 'have been drawn," . .' ..... .', .. ■ The manager (Mr. Isaacs) of the New Zealand team,,declared: "A draw would liayo morp cprreotly represented tho character of tlie game. Your forwards .did give us a shock." ~..'■ The "Daily Telegraph" declares: "The New Zealandors expected to win handily.' That they did not, and that for half the timoithey had'lp defend as only New Zealand nhampipns can, was dqe to tho surprising dash and resource of the opposing forwards, It was prim-, arily a forward battle," . y '

The ."Herald' , says the most sanguine of Australian supporters did not anticipate suoji a- magnificent bid for forward supremacy as was made by the Australian eight., The Australians were the more aggressive' throughout, the New Zealaiidors' wonderful "defence and superior tactics and kicking'saving them from defeat." . Commenting on tlio wing forward, the "Herald" adds: "Graham doubtless played the gome ho is acoustpmed to in his _own country, ■but according to the strict .reading of tho off-sido rule, he was an illognl obstructionist from firs.t to last,/ Wingfqrwards of hi? stainp are nothing inore; than nimless jostjers,' who, , do more harm to their own sitle than anything else, On two orbasions his glaringly unfair methods led to his opponents retaliating with tjioir fists.'. .

•..■-..THE QUEENSLAND TEAM. Brisbane, July 20. The Queensland Rugby Union team for tho match against Now Zealand on Saturday next is as follows :<— Full-back: E. Franois. ' • . Three-quarters: S. Francis, Flyiin, Green, and Smith. Half-banks: llitssell and Park, Forwards: Morrissey, Williams, Perkins, Murphy Byrne, Thompson, Birt, and Lloyd. ■ Reserves: Kreutzer, Wilson; . Cooper, Brown, Smith, and Healion.