ALL BLACKS.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 November 1924, Page 1

ALL BLACKS.

IRELAND DEFEATED

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION LONDON, Nov. ]. The All Blacks played their first international match against Ireland at Dublin to-dav, and after a well-con-tested gallic, emerged victorious by 0 points to nil. THE TEAMS.

All Blacks:—Nepia, Mart, Lucas, Svenson, Cooke Nicliolls, Dailey; Barker, Irvine, Donald, Masters, At. Brownlee. Chippies, Richardson. White. Pleurisy prevented the inclusion of Stewart.

Ireland Crawford. IL Stephenson, CL Stephenson, Gardiner, T. -Hewitt. F. Hewitt. McDowell; B. C’allopy, Crichton. Collis, McLellniid, AlcA icker, Spain, Clinch and Brand. Intense interest was taken in the first appearance of the famous Dominion players, whose chances were strongly favoured, and. even before the day. it was known that a huge crowd would ho assured, and this expectation was borne out, as the attendance numbered 20,000. ’Pile spectators gave an enthusiastic welcome to the visitors when they filed on to the ground. The New Zealand team lost the toss, and kicked off against a strong wind. It was early seen that Ireland had put info the field

a heavy and well-balanced team, in excellent condition. They stood up boldly to their formidable opponents, and it was not surprising, with tlie reputation which tlie Tnsli forwards have gained ill two or three years, that they made a most creditable fight of it. The first incident of note was a brilliant rush by tlie All Black forwards ending in Darker putting in a wclt-indged cross-kick. Hart gathered the ball in his stride. A thrill went, through the crowd as Dart dashed for Hie tine. 'Phe Irish full-hack, however, was equal to the occasion, anti ho got there in time to hold up the Taranaki winger hv inches only. AVitli a fine kick no tilt' side-line, Clinch removed the hall out of danger. A sovios of serums and line-outs followed in which Ireland nhiv held its own. showing onuallv good form with the New Zealanders; hut their hacks’ attempts at passing were entirely nullified hv the All Blacks’ terrific tackling, which, indeed. was the most strikin'- feature of the game which, .-if, one time, was a decided weakness in their play. Their keenness led them into some infractions of tln' rules, and the majority of the penalties awarded were against them. From one of these. Crawford, who was kicking splendidly, narrowly missed a goal. Helped very much by the wind, the Trshmen were able to keep tlie game in their adversaries’ territory for a long time, until a fine passing rush, in which the hall passed through the hands of Nicliolls. Cooke and Lucas, almost enabled Dari fo score. Again, however, determined collaring iust stormed him in lime. Both sets of forwards were pl.-iving a magnificent game and were giving a dashing exhibition. The Irishmen displayed a remarkable aptitude for smothering tlie All Blacks’ passing from the base of Ibe serum, and so Ibov dinned elf tbc attempts of tbc Now Zealand hacks In get going. D-dli teams, ip fact. resorted to spoiling methods. Obvbmslv the New Zealanders, "lien struggling against (lie wind could mil .-I fiord In lake risks, and Ibev could lmrdlv do anvlliing else l.ul keen the game tigld when it was near their own coal an-’ (bey were tint dismee,| to lot I heir mv. Iruienls onen out. Both sides kept an a great, pace, and if lot scientific. tb„ nla v was decidedly robust and lull'd. Nicliolls. Dailey and Barker were conspicuous for fine defensive work at tin's stage. Xii'l".lPs kicks info touch being especially certain and effective. The gruelling work, however, began tn tell its lab- and b.-rinc Hie first ball ended there were signs I lint the pace was having an effect nn the limnc side. New Zealand bcean mure and more to cel possession of I lie ball. lint. their hacks, though passing ln-illiantlv. were unable to penetrate Hie Irishmen's sturdy defence, and the spell ended without any score.

On the resumption of I'tav. the All Blacks immediately toot' the oflonsivo. the X.X. forwards exeellioo themselves with most ctfeetive dribbling Olshes. while Xenia. and Nieholls. both playing brilliantly, inspired their colleagues in the hack division liv their example. 'I he Maori player was magnificent, fieldinn the hall faultlessly, and kicking a wonderful length. Onee again. the eondilions favoured the home side. It was really extraordinary had look for the New Zealanders that, after lintfling against the wind ill the first half it should veer eomnletely round. and again hlow behind Ireland. This time it was aeenmnanied hv heavy rain sii|iinlls. Notliiny eould lie worse for the visitors, hot they faced a heavy task with rosolntion and oiidimiiiished vigour. After twenty minutes of hard iriue lling play, the AH Black forwards developed a tremendous loose attack, which completely broke th<> opposition up. Parker secured the hall, passed to 1 mras. and he handed it on to fsvenson. Then Svensou crossed the line half way to the corner, to score a thoroughly deserved try. Xepia’s kick failed.

All Blacks ... 3 Trtdand Five minutes later Xieholls landed a superb goal from a penalty kick. All Blacks ... 0 Ireland

’Pile Xew Zealanders’ beeline out of the scrum, improved as the game progressed ; but the chances this gave their hacks of promising movements were nullified by their inability to handle a greasy hall with certainty. T. Hewitt (Ireland) retired hurt at this juncture. Notwithstanding these disadvantages the All Blacks lmd clearly asserted supremacy. and twice Hart almost got across. ‘ Nothing hut their magnificent tackling saved Ireland. V. Hewitt, was particularly conspicuous in the defence, The game was contested in the finest possible" spirit, and it aroused the great mass of onlookers to the highest pitch of enthusiasm. The battle between the forwards was the most notable feature of the game. All through.

both packs fought desperately for every inch of the ground. New Zealand s success was primarily' due to the collective excellence of their vanguard, who fulfilled the greatest expectations. Notwithstanding their obstinate defence, the Irishmen were a beaten team, in the second half, and had the turf remained dry, it is agreed that the All Blacks would probably have put up ’JO points against them. Brownlee, 'White, Richardson and Cnpples were prominent, hut in justice to the remaining forwarifs, it must he added that all alike played magnificently. , , „ , , The display of both the full hacks was also another outstanding foatuio of the day. Halley rose meritoriously to the occasion, hut Cooke and Lucas did not appear to handle the hall with their usual, soreness. Svcnson, on the wing, was comparatively neglected. Paiker was probably the most brilliant player of all on the day. showing out consistently well bath in attack ami defence. New Zealand was penalised S times in the first half, chiefly through mistakes in their scrum work, but they fared hotter in the next spell, when only six penalties were given, three of them against Parker. Luckily they were mostly out of easy range of the goal.

The stamina of lioth sides was exceptional. and a tremendous pressure was maintained throughout. The game from beginning to end. was quite up to the best international standard. During the final exciting stages, when the All Blacks were mostly in the ascendancy, and were threatening to score at any moment, the people were roused to such a pitch of excitement that tliou-

sands stood in tlie pouring rain regardless of weather, cheering frantically. ALL BLACKS’ KETUItX. LONDON, Noy. 1. The negotiations for a game in British Columbia will remain indefinite till the homeward route of the All Blacks is decided on. It has been suggested that the tour should end with the match against France at Toulouse, and that the team should return by the Suez Canal.

COAIAIENT ON THE GAAIE. (Received this day at 8.50 a.m.) DUBLIN, October 2. The ground was very heavy as a result of a. soaking rain. For the first twenty minutes the Irish forwards played splendidly, although they only twice seriously threatened the visitors line, hut gradually the New Zealanders began to hold the Irish pack. Both sides found a difficulty in handling

the greasy hall. The Irish forwards wore outweighed and got possession of only six out of twenty scrums in the first half hut gave a grand display in

lie loose. In the second spell, during a continu-

ous downpour of rain they made n number of determined rushes, hut failed to beat the scientific defence. ’I lie crnim* was fin civ defended oil both sides to the end.

RESULTS TO DATE. Following arc the results to date (with scores of 1905 team for purposes of comparison) and matches to bo played by tlre All Blacks:

CO At TNG MATCHES. Nov. s.—v. Ulster. Nov. B.—v. Northumberland (31-0)

1021. 1906. V. Devon 11-0 55—4 V. Cornwall 29—0 41-0 V. Somerset 0-0 23—0 V. Gloucester 6-0 44—0 V. Swansea 39—9 4—3 V. Newport 13—10 6-3 V. Leicester 27-0 28—0 V. North Midlands JO—3 21-5 V. Clicshiro 18 -5 31—0 V. Durham 33—7 16—3 V. Yorkshire 12—1 40—0 V. Lancashire 23-0 — V. ('umherlaiid ..—11-0 ■ V. Ireland 6—0 15—0