FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 22 July 1907, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

GREAT "ALL BLACK" VICTORY AUSTRALIANS COMPLETELY OUTCLASSED. NEW ZEALAND'S LINE NOT CROSSED. Received iiUlh. IUS p.m. Sydney, July 20. The first of the test mutches of the present tour between Australia and New Zealand was played this afternoon, and another MOXSTER CROWD thronged the Cricket Ground to witness the game. The extra space adjoining the pavilion was thrown open to the public, and it is expected, when the ollicial figures are completed, to he proved that the attendance distanced that of last Saturday.

I-onl Northeote, (Governor-(lenenvl, and I Sir Harry Ravson, State Governor, were atnnn[? those present. THE EXPOSITION OF FOOTBALL by the visitors showed a remarkable reversal of form as compared with their two previous displays. The phy, while not as brilliant a'l round as that some of the fornu-r teams h:ue given, was siill worthy of the reputation of the DOMINION'S FOOTBALL PROWESS, and it must lx? remembered, too, that no previous team has ever had to contend with such greatly improved Rugby p'ay on the part of Australian players as lias been put forward in the present tour. The Australian team played under the combined colors of New South Wales and Queensland (Blue and Maroon).

Mr. Alex. Brown was selected referee, and his decision* gave general satisfaction. One regretable feature of the match was the number of CASUALTIES. *■*" the most serious being that sustained by Colman, the New Zcalander, who received a nasty wound on the head. The weather was fine, though overcast. Owing to the time lost by accidents. tl'e play was much delayed, and it was nearly dark when the whistle sounded "no side." | THE TEAMS. ! The teams took the field as follows: ! NEW ZEALAND (All Black). ! Full back: | Booth. Three-quarters: J Wallace, Mitchinson, Fryer, Five-eight:

Hunter (captain), and Mvnott. Half: Roberts. Wing forward: Colrnan. Forwards: Seeling, Francis, Cunningham, Hughes, Casey, MaeDonald and Johnston. AUSTRALIA (Blue and Maroon). Full back: Cavmiclmcl (Queensland). Three-quarters: Russel, Dix, Smith (N.S.W.), Watson (Queensland). Half backs: MeKivatt and Woods. Forwards:

Flanaghan (Queensland), Barrett. Griffiths, Roseivell, MeCue, Burge (captain), Rowe-James, Hughes.

From the very outset the All Blacks showed that the torpor which had characterised their previous efforts, had disappeared and their alertness and clocklike movement was a DELIGHT TO WITNESS.

Within the first three minutes of the game beginning, the visitors had registered their first score, and their determination to retrieve Wednesday's defeat was soon apparent. THE PLAY, The New Zealanders were successful in the spin of the coin, and chose the northern goal. There was a light breeze blowing across the ground, which gave no advantage to either side. The Australians kicked off, but the New Zealanders quiekly swarmed into the home territory, where Francis started a smart rusli, and, ably assisted by the other forwards, hud their opponents penned down on the Hue, where Seeling got possession, and bustled over, scoring first blood. Wallace was given the kick at goaj, but just failed to send tho ball between, thp posts. New Zealand 3 Australia 0

From the kick-off, some exciting plav followed in neutral zone, and Dix was prominent for His excellent line kicking. (Jnwhially the scene of operations was removed into the visitors' quarters, chiefly by the aid of the local forwards, who were working scrums rather better at this time than their adversaries. While in their opponents' territory the home team were awarded a penalty kick, and Carmichael had a shot at goal, but the leather fell a trifle short. Mitehison resumed the play, the ball going into the centre of the field, where play became very strenuous, and the All Blacks had several jR-nalties recorded against them. Foot by foot the Australians again advanced towards New Zealand's goal amid cheers from the multitude, and Carmicnaei, from a free kick, had another abortive try ut goal. The ball was returned outside the 25 and from the line-out the visitors secured tile ball, and an exciting rush by them followed. 1-or a time it appeared as if another score was certain, as Carmichael, ' 'J 1 *' 1 full-hack, missed the ball, but Alcnatt whipped back and snapped up the ball just in time to save his side. (live and take play ensued in the centre of the field for a time. Then Mitchinson, from the half distance, got possesion, and with a beautiful, dodgy run, completely fooled the opposing backs, and crossed the line. Wallace kicked an easy goal, and the board read— New Zealand 8 Australia q When in play again, there was a lot of tussling in the centre of the ground without much material advantage to either side.

Here Rosewell, one of the local team, received an injury to his leg, and his place in the field ivas taken by Craves, Carmichael going up from full-back to three-quarters, relieving Dix, who took up the position in charge of the goal. tor a long interval the game was confined within the home team's lines, Dix saving his opponents, getting in on several occasions.

Eventually the Australians relieved by a free kick given against the All Blacks, and play waa taken to their ead.

It was here, during a hot struggle, that Colman received a nasty kick on the head; which necessitated his leaving the Held, and J. S|)encer, of Wellington, took his place on the wing. 'ihe game was not allowed to remain long in (he New Zealanders' half. They | shitted the scene by a good run by Wab lace, who ended by passing on the Fryer, the ball eventually going out. Another brief interval now took place, owing to one of the home team sustaining an injury. Harnett ri ,: -ed his ankle, and Richards, of Qucenstaii'i. win put on in his place. The Australians were being sorely pressed by the visitors, but they obtained occasional relief in free kicks award-, i«d against the New Zealanders. 1 A little later on the visitors set in another rush, and Roberts passed to Mynott., thence to Hunter, and on to Mitchinson. The latter handed the ball along to Wallace, -who, in a few seconds, passed it back to Mitehinson almost on the touch line.

It was a magnificent piece of passing, aud Mitehinson lost no time in streaking for the goal line, which he successfully reached.

Wallace added the major points, and then the whistle sounded half-time, with score reading— New Zealand 13 Australia 0 SECOND SPELL. As the second spelt opened, the light ! began to fail. The New Zea landers soon had their opponents on the defeusive again, but ! °ace more were the local team relieved ; by the aid of a free kick.

For a time they managed to get play out of dangerous quarters. Surely, however, they were forced back into their own ground, but Dix's kicking kept the enemy in cheek. j Play win very hard, and free kicks plentiful, chiefly against the All Blacks. A fine rush by the visiting forwards, who were putting grout heart into their work, carried New Zealand down to the Australian's line, and a penalty gave Wallace a shot at goal, but the bull went wide. Time and again tlie Australians en-, desperately £q iaxa&s Hess

Zealand's line, but the litter's hack play and fine judgment easily disposed of them.

Another fine rush was started by the visitors, ami C'armichael, making a bad mistake, enabled Hughes to pick up the ball and run in.

Wallace placed a goal comfortably, the third in succession, making the score

Mew Zealand 18 Australia 0 The kick out was followed by an interval of "uninteresting play, of which neither side had much advantage. The Australians were rushing down repeatedly, but the New Zealand backs were content with taking marks, and sending the ball out near the centre.

The local men appeared to be s.uggisli in their movements, but this may have been more apparent than real, and by comparison with the rapidity of their opponents.

It was while the New Zealand backs were content to quietly stave off their opponents inside the visitors' ground that Carim'chael got his chance off a free kick, and, placing a goal, drew blood for Australia, which made the score read— New Zealand 18 Australia 3

This score caused the visitors to change their tactics, and tlitsy at once shifted play into the home team's 25, ami from a long line-out New Zealand got the Australians up against their back line, and compelled them to force down.

The ball was no sooner in play than New Zealand had it back again. The strain was relieved by the Australians getting on a smart dribbling rush that looked dangerous, but the opposing forwards broke it up, and took the ball at foot back into home territory, and narrowly missed ending up with a score.

The Australians rallied, and, with another rush, had the Blacks on the defensive. From a great struggle in the New Zealand quarters, the local men obtained a mark, and Carmichact was again successful in piloting the ball between the posts by a brilliant kick from just inside the half-way flag. This second score on the part of the home team brought forth a terrific outburst of cheering. The board showed— New Zealand 18 Australia 6 Immediately the game resumed, New Zealand invaded their opponents' quarters, and here the finest try of the clay was obtained. Mitchinsoii got possession of the ball, and made a long pass in front of Australia's goal posts. Roberts snapped up the leather, and whipped it on to Hunter. Alitchinson in the meantime had daslied across the ground, and got round in time to accept a pass from Hunter, and dashed over the line. Wallace was again successful in registering a goal, and the sheet showed— New Zealand 23 Australia 0 Australia at this was in a bad way, and, though they fought on gamely, they were hopelessly out of the hunt. The ball was not long in play when the scene of operations was again in Australia's quarters, where Francis secured possession, and, dodging through, scored the sixth try for the visitors. It was a difficult angle, and Wallace failed at goal. The score read — New Zealand 2fl Australia 6 Towards the finish, the Australians pressed the AU Blacks into their own 25, and worked like Trojans to get a further score, but the defence was too good, and when the whistle sounded "no side," the game stood— New Zealand 20 Australia 8 The Australians failed to cross the visitors' line, their score being made from a penalty kick and from a mark. On the other hand, New Zealand crossed their opponent's line on no less than six occasions, tries being obtained by Mitehinson (3), Seeling, Hughes, and Francis one each. On each occasion Wallace was entrusted with the kick at goal, scoring goals from each of those scored by Mitchinson and Hughes.

SWANNELL'S CRITICISM. NEW ZEALAND BACKS SUPERIORITY. Received 2"lst, 4.43 p.m. Sydney, July 21. Swannell, the ex-Englisli representative, attributes the Australian debacle to bad selection. In the tight scrummages, the teams were pretty evenly matched, the advantage in open and line-out play being with the New Zealanders. In the back division, however, the New Zealanders were streets ahead of their opponents. COLMAX'S INJURY. Received 21st, 4.43 p.m. Sydney, July 21. Colman received a nasty wound on the back of the head, necessitating several stitches. He is progressing satisfactorily. THE ATTENDANCE. Received 21st, 4.1!) p.m. Sydney, July 21. The turnstiles recorded the attendant'' at the match as just 011 50,000. The takings amounted to £2400. PROBABLE CHANGE W PROGRAMME.

HUNTER SUFFKRING FROM INFLUENZA. Received 22nd, 12.45 a.m. Sydney, July 21. A motion will be submitted to the Rugby Union to-morrow night, uggefting that in the event of Australia losing the second test at Brisbane, the third tes" at Sydney should be abandoned, and a match against New South Wales substituted. The New Zealanders left for Brisbane to-night. Hunter is suffering from an attack of influenza, and Mynott stays behind to look after him. Colman was able to go to Brisbane, ! ENTHUSIASM IN AUCKLAND. AN UGLY'QUESTION. Per Press Association. Auckland, July 21. The result of the football match against Australia evoked groat enthusiasm, as after the match against New South Wales people here were prepared for almost anything. At the same time, some rather peculiar views are. expressed on the subject in home quarters, and it is wondered if New South Wales really won the last match on their merits.

WAS WEDNESDAY'S GAME FAIRLY LOST? New Zealand footballers, generally speaking, are, we believe, good losers, and there were few indeed who grudged New South Wales their splendid victory on Wednesday last. Very ugly rumors, however, have been current concerning that match—rumors that wc are tonstrained to believe were afoot before the result of that particular game reached i the colony. That New Plymouth was not singular in discussing openly, in sporting circles, certain circumstances surrounding that match, would seem to be borne out by the telegram, from Auckland, printed above, and which asks the pertinent, question, that has been, with feelings of incredulity, also asked here. As the matter has presumably got into print in Aucl:-and the soouer these iumors are placed on record the better for the national game, in order that they may, as we hope they will, be speedily dispelled. To be brief, it has been asserted, and so far as this portion of the allegations are eoncerncd —with little room for doubt, we regret to say, that

about half-a-dozen members of the present All Black team in Australia are to join the professional combination for England on their return to the colony. A condition of membership of the professional team is, we understand, a deposit of £SO in cash per man. Players wou-d, of course, require a unod f: um in addition for their own individual requirements. The nllPfr*it>rm th" f !« m?do in this U tint, fo e«rtnin of tV«*e member" tHm* tlie present tour ns a means of Vnsin? + ho wind" frt them in th« f»>ssional combination. No more serious Hmnre could be laid'against any ath'ete. but when it is mnde ngninst certain individuals of a bodv of men who are renresenting the athletic prowess of tlieiv country, it amounts almost to a hideous ' ertme. If no foundation exists for su<~-h 'serious allewotious nornfn«t the conduct of certain individual in the team, the authors have been guilty of a covert, cowardly and contemptible attack on the trim's honor and the sooner it is unouestionaldy established the better. We canot bring Ourselves to believe that their exists in the football world of New Zealand any player so contemptibly jueau as to conspire, as is alleged, to the

throwing away of a match for the paltry ] gain of a few pounds bet at long odds. There is no doubt that New South Wales Won the match fairly and openly; the question is whether certain of our players ''lost" the match fairly and openly. There is this fact, however, to be borne in miiiil. In almost every second match New Zealanders have played in Australia they have only just won, drawn, or lost. For instance, in 1893 New Zealand lost'by 23 points to 5, and in 1807 they were vanquished by 26 points to 3, these being the only reverses of the tour; while the UJOS team only just managed to draw in the second match. We aro told by ji Taranaki veteran, who took part in move than one of the tours, that this losing of the second matches is to be accounted for by the vagaries of the climate. Lot us hope this is so in last week's instance, and that the rumor alluded to is without the slightest foundation.

THE PROFESSIONAL TEAM. THE PROFESSIONAL TEAM. ALLEGED "CERTAINTIES." Per Press Association. Omaru, July 21, J lie Oamaru Mail gives the following as certainties for the professional football learn. McGregor, J'ey.rce, ynd iv till (Canterbury), Smith, Wynward, 'lodd, W. Tyler, Cunningham, Fiancis, Oillet (Auckland), Eekhold and Johnston (Otago), Tyne, Cross, Wright, Byrne, and Kelly (Petone), Baskville and Watkins (Wellington), Wrigley iVTiiirarapa), and Colrnan (Taranaki). AN INCORRECT LIST. Per Press Association. Wellington, July 21. With reference, to the Press Association message from Oamaru naming 21 players as certainties for the professional team, Baskiville, of Wellington, who is understood to be connected with the undertaking, states that the list is not correct.

THE SEDDON SHIELD. BULLER AND MARLBOROUGH DRAW. Per Press Association. Blenheim, July 21. The representative match. Buller v. Marlborough, for the Seddon Shield, was played to-day. J he game « as of an even nature, lii.t the passing of Buller was superior to the local men, and but for good forwards Marlborough would have suffered defeat. The game ended 6 points (two tries) each. For Buller, Colvin and M«=Pik< scored, and for Marlborough 0. Parker and J. McDonald scored. The attempts at goal failed.

SOUTHERN DIVISION PREMIERSHIP. PATE A DEFEATS HAW ERA. "(Special wire to News.) Patea, July 20. The play-off between Patea and ii-L----wera seniors at Hawera to-day resulted in a win or Patea by six points to nil. Owing to a family bereavement, iue three Shcehans were unable to play iut 1 atea, whilst Greenbanks, on account of ajn injured foot, stood out of the Hawera team. It had been thought that owing to the absence of Con. Sheeharf Hawera would win, but Patea, had on the whole the best of the play. From a.'spectacular point of view the gajne fell far short of the previous Saturday's display, as lacking the passing rushes.

The Hawera ground was heavy, artd during the second spell rain fell, the ball getting very greasy. ' • Hnwera did not pUy up to their previous Saturday's form, whilst thegrensv ball militated passing. The Patea forwards pltyed better, whilst their hacks handled the ball netter than Hawera. During the first spell Bourke kicked a penalty goal from half-way, and in the second spell Beamish scored a try as the result of a forward rush.

When tb» Hawera Club heard that ibe She ;> hans would .be unable to play for Patea on Saturday they- displayed a true sporting spirit by telephoning the secretary of the Patea Club stating they had no objection to the game bi> mg postponed (says the Patea Press). They also sent a letter to this effect lo tne I nion. The secretary of the Pat u Club wired the secretary of the Union asking for a postponement, but word was received that the Executive coald not grant the request.