RUGBY AND WAR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1815, 18 April 1918, Page 3

RUGBY AND WAR.

A LOCAL BOY’S LETTER

' Included among letters from tho front received this week is one from Pte. Tom East, son of Air T. East, under date February 18th. “Tom,” like all New Zealanders, is a lover of our national game of Rugby. Big doings at the front have their place and time, and in them our hoys play the game to a man, but a game of good old rugby shuts out the horrors of war for the time being, and sends them into raptures. “Tom” forgets all else, and enthuses over football. He wants the local people to share his pride of what/ our boys can do in “toe ball” deeds. He writes: “I am sending you along a cutting of a match played in Paris between New Zealand boys and a French team. Our boys have also played the South Africans, and beat them every time! The New Zealand Artillery have (he best Rugby team in England, their scores so far totalling 514 against 14, a good record! I may add that all the Foxton boys 1 have mot are doing well. Just met Merewood Oliver. Best regards to all in dear old Foxton. The clipping of the football match will, I think, be interesting to those at home.” . The following is tire clipping of the match, played in Paris on February 18th last:— Rugby football teams representing New Zealand and the French armies met for the second time since the beginning of the war in Paris to-day, and again the victory went to the players from the farthest and smallest of the British Dominions by five points to three. The New Zealand team came straight frn(m the trenches, and had played together only once lief ore, when they defeated last week q strong team from the Welsh Division. It included some famous players, among whom were a few members of tho redoubtable “All Blacks” team. The French team to-day also included some wellknown players. , Though the French wore defeated they had the best of (be game, and deserved to have won. It was evident that the bard training of the trenches is making young Frenchmen a race of athletes. Colonel Plnggc, who was in charge of the New Zealand team, paid after tlm match, “The bolter team lost.” The match, which was the most important Rugby event of the season, was played before several thousand spectators. The weather was extremely cold, but As the ground was not too.hard the game did not suffer. At three o’clock the New Zealand team entered the ground, and standing on the touch-line, performed their traditional dance, which was loudly applauded. ,

Immediately afterwards the French military team arrived, and the band played the Marseillaise. The two teams were greeted Avitb enthusiastic cheering. FINE FRENCH PASSING.

From the kick-off the French alia deed, and pressed their opponents, to the great surprise of the spectators. There was line passing between the French forwards, who followed hard on the ball. The “All Blacks” defended well, but could not develop their play. This was the situation throughout all the first half, and when the whistle was blown neither side had succeeded in scoring. On resinning, the New Zealanders attacked, but the French defended energetically, marking their men well, and after a line break away they .succeeded in scoring a try, amidst great enthusiasm. The goal kick was unsuccessful. The game at this point was hardly contested, the “All Blacks," 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 crotvd hoping for a French victory, hut three, minutes before time the New Zealanders obtained possession of the ball, and, eluding the French backs, §cored a try, Tfhiph they converted. The “Alj pijifiks” livero therefore lea ding. , The French, encouraged by the crowd, which was enthusiastic, returned to the attack, but did no!) succeed in penetrating their opponents’ defence. At length the whistle blew, and the French military (earn was beaten by five points to three. Both victors hnd vanquished received a tremendous ovation from the crowd, which invaded ffho ground, and carried in triumph the members of the French team, who had played n splendid game, The whole French team is to hq congratulated, especially Jaurre, Guy Forgies, De h. Ysaac, and Naves. As for the victors, there is gotiling to be said, except thaf they showed themselves worthy of thgin reputation, which they energetically defended- ■