The Daily News MONDAY, AUGUST 15, 1904. SATURDAY'S VICTORY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 189, 15 August 1904, Page 2

The Daily News MONDAY, AUGUST 15, 1904. SATURDAY'S VICTORY.

"New Zealand nine, Britain three." These simple words, flashed along tho telegraph line from Wellington, comprised'tho message for which had waited 0 n Saturday all the people of the colony who wero not privileged to see the battle of the Rugby giants in the Athletic Park, and these were the words which caused the populace to give vent to their pent-up feelings and ease the tension in "Three cheers for Now Zealand." It was not altogether unexpec-tod so far as local enthusiasts were concerned, though tho triumphal inarch of Britain's best through Australia, and the two victories till the hard-fought games at Christchurcllif and Duuedin, hud compelled even the most sanguine to give the visitors, the credit of being worthy contestants for the honour of being the champion team of the Empire in the national game of Rugby. Sixteen years had elapsed since New Zealand was visited by a combination of British footballers, and since then the game has firmly established itself in the colony ; played everywhere, province vicing with province, city with city, town with town, club with club t school with -jchool. During the winter months football is the ruling passion, and now, after nx a ny years, when the BriLons come again to meet the Maoriland representatives the colony has gone "football mad." Not only in the colony itself, but in the neighbouring Australian colonies, and in Rugby circles at Home, keen interest iiad been aroused in anticipation of the meeting oi Saturday's teams. Tne success of the visitors in Australia was phenomenal, but Australia is not a football country, climatic conditions being unfavourable for the assiduous practice which has made lirst-class footballers of the sons of New Zealand soil. Tho teams on "the other side" are easy prey, as a rule, for the wearers of the Wack jerseys, amid the last Maoriland team secured it» victories there with even greater margins than are Jeen in the case of file present British team. To New Zealand, the home of Uug'by, has fulien the honour of notching the first victory over the 1901 touring team of Britain, including as it does the pride of players from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. No men stand higher in the eyes of footijallers to-day Cum those who did such doughty deeds in the convincing game of Saturday, and the heartiest congratulations are showered :ipon them, New Zealand proved victorious, and what gre a t praise is awarded to tho selector of the team, in, this connection, whilst joining in the general felicitations oil the splendid result achieved, it may not lie out of place to remark that whilst Taranaki —'tile champion team in the North Island last year, and champion so far as the present season has gone, victors over the pride of Wellington who recently lowered tho colours of the redoutota.ble Auckianders—had only one representative in thi team, Auckland provided six. There are forwards in Taranaki this season who will more than hold their own with any that any other part of the colony can produce. The big match of the tour over, it now remains to be seen what the team from the recognised football province ran do against the red, white and blue on Wednesday next at New Plymouth.