ALL BLACKS SOUNDLY DEFEAT WALES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2818, 2 December 1924, Page 3

ALL BLACKS SOUNDLY DEFEAT WALES.

BY 19 POINTS TO NIL. London, December 29. Before an enormous crowd the All Blacks to-day avenged the defeat of their predecessors by soundly beating Wales in a game in which they never gave their opponents a chance from beginning to end. They kept u]> a relentless pressure under which the Welsh defence crumbled, and, although once or twice the local men raised the hopes of the onlookers at the bell they hath to

leave the field beaten by 19 points to nil. The weather was bright after heavy rain, but the ground was on the soft side. Memorable scenes witnessed in the historic encounter at Cardiff in 1905 were re-enacted at Swansea to-day. The greatest crowd that ever packed St. Helen’s ground sang with intensely patriotic fervour “Land of My Fathers” and “March of the Men of Harlech” in

a manner of which only Welsh football enthusiasts are capable. No visiting team could remain altogether insensible to the influence of the peculiar atmosphere invariably associated with an international match. on Welsh soil. The afendance was estimated at 50,000. The New Zealand team was as follows :

Full-back: G. Nepia; three-quar-ters: K. S. Svenson, A. E. Cooke, J. Steel: five-eighths: N. P. McGregor (2), M. F. Nicholls; scrum-half: J.

Mill; winger: J. H. Parker; back row*: J. 'Richardson (capt.), F. L. Cnpples; supports: M. J. and C. J. Brownlie; lock R. R. Masters; hookers: W. R. Inane, Q. Donald. Wales kicked off against a slight breeze. Their fonvards took up an aggressive attitude for the moment

and resolutely dribbled into New Zealand territory, but it was only a'flash in the pan. Rome fine kicking by Cooke gained ground up the touch-line and transferred play close to the Welsh line. Here impetuosity by the local forwards got them into trouble for off-side play. Several penalties were given against (them and from one Nicholls had an easy.chance at goal and sent the ball across to the dismay of the crowd. N.Z. 3, Wales nil. New Zealand had scored within fifteen minutes of kicking-off. The All Blacks maintained continuous pressure and drove their hardest at 'Wales’ line. Nicholls, who was playing brilliantly, was nearly across once, but fhe Welshmen were putting up a desperate defence and he was collared in time. As fast as one dash failed another was started, nor could the defenders, strive as they might, clear their quarters from this sustained pressure. There was no respite and at last it found a gap fifteen yards from the goal line. Maurice Brownlie secured the ball, and, using all his strength, the burly Hawke’s Bay forward shook off every opponent, forced his way through and crossed the line. Nicholls coverted. N.Z. 8, Wales nil. Rain now commenced to fall. Once more the All Blacks drove up to the Welsh line, there was a helterskelter scramble with the slippery ball jumping here and there among the players’ feet and then Irvine from a welter of mingled jerseys, was seen emerging with it in his arms and falling across the line. Nicholls only just failed with the kick. N.Z. 11, Wales nil. , This ended the first spell. On resuming the Welsh forwards began as in the first half. They raised the hopes of their supporters, who now were very crestfallen indeed,, bj rushing the ball to the other end and setting up an attack on the New Zealand line which lasted for quite a time. The defence was strongly tried, but was equal to the occasion and remained unbroken. Nepia, with some magnificent kicks into touch, repeatedly drove the invaders back and presently they had shot ther bolt, Cooke, Steel and Parker then joined in a pass-

ir;tr rush, which ended in the firstnamed crossing the line, but a try was disallowed. Both full-backs, Nepia and Johnson here came into the limelight with some splendid fielding and kicking' which aroused the enthusiasm of the spectators. Once more the Welshmen succeed-

ed in pushing their opponents back and the game was again in the New Zealanders’ quarters. Steel gathered in the ball at'the centre and started one of bis powerful runs. On the verge of crossing the fine he was pushed into touch when a try looked certain. This was the prelude to a glorious passing rush by the All Blacks, which brought about a serum in the corner. Here Mill cleverly worked th 6 blind side* passing with judgment to Svenson, and the latter got over. Nicholls’ kick failed. N.Z. 14, Wales nil. Both sides were now playing at high speed, pace at times being tremendous and Wales showing much improved eimbination among the backs. Rowe Harding got one chance and ran through everyone till he reached Nepia, but the Maori was equal to the .occasion and grassed his man with certainty. The light was now beginning to fail and the final stages of the game were fought out in the gathering gloom. Just on the call of time Irvine got the ball at his feet and after a brilliant piece of dribbling scored again with a try right under the posts Nicholls had no difficulty in converting and the game ended N.Z. 19, Wales nil.