RUGBY IN THE WAR ZONE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 188, 29 April 1918, Page 6

RUGBY IN THE WAR ZONE

GREAT BATTLE BETWEEN NEW ZEALAND AND FRANCE. ' Paris, February 18. Rugby football teams represent ug New Zealand and tho French Amiies mot for the second time since the beginning of the war in 'Paris to-day, and again tho victory wont to the players from tho furthest and smallest of tho British Dominions, by five points to three. The New Zealand team came straight from the trenches, and had played together only once before, when they defeated last week a strong team from the Welsh Division. They included some famous nlayero, among whom were - a few meras»rs of the redoubtable "All Blacks'' team. The match, which was the most important Rugby ov.ent of the season, was played before several thousand spectators. Tho weather was extremely cold, but as the ground was not 100 hard tho game did not suffer. At 3 o'clock the New Zealand team entored tho ground, and, standing on tho touch line, performed their traditional dance, whioh was loudly applauded. Immediately afterwards tho French military team arrived, and tho band played tho "Marseillaise." The two teams were greeted with enthusiastic cheering. From the kick-off the French attacked and pressed their opponents, to the great surprise of the spectators. Thero was fine passing between the French forwards, who followed hard on the ball. The New Zoalanders defended well, but could not develop their play. This was the situation throughout all tho first half and when the whistle was! blown neither side had succeeded in scoring. On resuming, the New Zealamlp attacked, but the French defended energetically, marking their mon well, pnd nfer a fine break away they succeeded in scoring a try amidst great enthusiasm. The goal kick was unsuccessful. The gnme'at this point was hardly contested, ■ tho New Zealanders endeavouring at all costs to score, and the French trying to repeat their success Several players were hurt, but happily only slightly. As the game approached its end, the French still leading by three points to nil, the enthusiasm of the public became beyond bounds, the crowd hoping for a French victory; but three minutes before time the Ne« /lealanders obtained possession of the Iμ 11, and eluding the French backs, scorsd a tn which they converted. The xolomals wre Serenading The French, encon wed by tho crowd, whici«« enthusiastic, returned to the attack, but K, and fte French milite, team was beaten bv five points to three. i Victor* and vanquished received a tre-, n, ndous ovation f ? n the cro^nlwh ir.vided the ground and carried in in fe Coltel Pluffie. who was in charge, of H,c New Zealanders, said: Iho better team lost."