DECISIVE VICTORY FOR ALL BLACKS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2791, 30 September 1924, Page 3

DECISIVE VICTORY FOR ALL BLACKS.

SWANSEA DEFEATED BY 39 TO 3. Swansea, .who were confidently picked to -beat the 1924 All Blacks on Saturday,. got the worst thrashing in the history of Welsh Rugby. Swanseajs only consolation is that they have the distinction of being the first British team to get points against the 1924 All Blacks, whose line, however, is still uncrossed, Swansea's sole score being a penalty goal. At least twelve more tries were lost to All Blacks through faulty handling. The All Blacks in their five English matches, have tot ted up 91 points to 3. New Zealand was represented by the following:— Full-back: G. Nepia*. three-quar-ters : F. W. Lucas, H. W. Brown, J. Steel; five-eighths: A. E. Cooke (2), M. F. Nicholls (1); half: W. C. Dailey; winger: C. G. Porter (captain); back row: A. H. West, A. White; supports: M. J. and C. J. Brownlie; lock: I. H. Harvey; hookers: W. R. Irvine, Q. Donald. The weather was ideal and the New Zealanders were at their best on the dry ground. The very large attendance was estimated, at 30,000 and the spectators gave the visitors a tumultuous and enthusiastic re-

ception. The All Blacks attacked from the jump and in twenty minutes had the opposition well beaten. - Nicholls failed to obtain a goal from a mark and then Nepia,. with one of his spectacular dashes from full-back nearly ran through the Welshmen. A promising attack was opened ug, but spoiled at the last moment by men getting off-side and in the same way later on Steel lost what seemed a certain try. Shortly after, Nicholls took a reverse pass from Brown, side-stepped his man and dropped a beautiful goal. N.Z. 4, Swansea nil. The backs kept hammering away at Swansea's goal-line and from a movement initiated by Porter, the ball passed to Brown, then to Lucas and the latter got across. Nepia failed with the kick. N.Z. 7, Swansea nil. Again the hacks got going, but in endeavouring to take the last pass, which have landed him over the line. Brown knocked-on and the chance was lost. Irvine scrambled over at the corner, and was. allowed a try. The referee’s decision, however, was badly received by the crowd, which shouted derision. Nepia's kick was a poor attempt. N.Z. 10, Swansea nil. The New Zealanders nearly always gained possession of the ball from the line-outs and their combine lion, both fore and aft, was much too superior for the Swansea backs. The latter were evidently nervous. Their play was quite bad, especially in tackling, as they went for their men too high. There was no further score this spell. In the second half, the game became a mere debacle. The superior speed and weight of the New Zealand backs were still worse than in the first period and became almost contemptible. Dailey sbone at half and consistently fed the men behind him. They indulged in almost continuous rushes which ended in repeated scores. Steel made his presence felt in the team by putting three tries to his name. Brown, who was playing a brilliant game, got two, and M. Brownlie and Cooke one each. From these Nicholls kicked four goals. The only compensation the Welshmen got was the satisfaction of registering the first score against the All Blacks. This was from a penalty incurred by Nepia for holding on to the ball too long. When Parker succeeded in landing the ball over the bar there was great applause. The game ended New Zealand 39, Swansea 3.

Al.fi BLACKS’ INDIVIDUAL LECOLD.

The New Zealanders have scored 91 points in their hve British match - es: —

Player Points Tries Goals Brown, H. YY. id 3 2 Cooke, A. E. 12 1 .... — Nieliolls, M. P. 12 — *5 Parker, J. H. y 3 — bteel, J. 9 3 — Brownlie, M. J. 0 2 — Donald, <d9 2 — Irvine, YV. it. 0 2 * Mill, J. 9 2 — A'epia, U. 9 — Lucas, P. YY\ il 1 • —* bvenson,b..iL .. 3, 1 ’Due potted 91 , *iu