NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALLERS

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1593, 25 October 1905, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALLERS

PRESS OPINIONS,

By telegraph. Press Aaa’n, Copyright Sydney* Ocfc. 24. The London Daily Telegraph states that in the startling triumph achieved by the New Zealanders in their opening match the prestige of Devon football received a severe blow. That the visitors would probably win was expected, but no one was prepared for the utter rout. At a 1 points the visitors were clearly superior, and were in no woy flattered by the score. Heavy as were the New Zealanders, who physically are a fine Bet of men, they set about their task in a workmanlike manner, and had their opponents demoralised with astonishing rapidity. Quite the best feature of the New Zealanders play was the work of their seven forwards, who were more than a match for then? op* ponents’ eight. The paper adds : H the English teams should bo compelled in selfdefence to play ‘ a winger,’ the game from a spectacular point of view is no* likely to be improved.” , w _ The Times, commenting on tne JNew Zealand footballers, says they have gamed a remarkable victory over Devon, do unequal were the aides that no score would proportionately set out the overwhelming superiority possessed by the Now Zealanders in pace and skill. The wing forward position is, however, a startling innovation. His position imperils his team under the off-side rule, and muoh trouble may be expected in future matches if bis v/ork is oonducted on the same lines as in the Devon match.