THE ALL-BLACK "PROS."

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 30 November 1907, Page 3

THE ALL-BLACK "PROS."

u XHE WAKEFIELD MATCH. Sydney, November 29Following are press comments on the match between the New Zealand professional football team and Wakefield:—

The London Chronicle says: "The New Zealanders caught a Tartar at Wakefield, when they met Trinity full of fight and determined to win." The home team had a lead at the interval, but the colonials managed to dnw levej after a match in which the finer points of football were remarkable for their absence.—Two new men were introduced into the New Zealand team— Cleeson and Lavery. Otherwise the Bontingent was strongly representative. Wakefield had the best out lor aome time. After the start the game *" eonfined to high kicking and rushes oy Wakefield, who more than once were Within an ace of scoring. Many penalties were given on both sides," but all the place kicks failed. After half an nonrt play the colonials were guilty of obstruction, and Metealf sent the hall J 1 * tar- The New Zealanders Med hard by combined work to get a looting in the home team's quarters, but their passing was repeatedly fanltv Onat before the interval Wakefield were fa an aggressive mood, and a smart transfer gave a speeilv wing-man an opening, which he utilised grandlv. A try at the corner resulted. Mctailf failed at the place. At half-time WakeHeld led by five to nothing. In the •eeond half, after ten minutes' plav, a free kick for infringement of the scrum Wh» gave Messenger a chance to goal. Flay was of the bustling order. The Baer point* were not seen. At length. from gome smart passing, following a Ecnunble, Rowe scored a try. Messenger failed to goal. The scores were thus equal with fifteen minutes to go. Play tor the rest of the game was level." The Telegraph declares the New Zealanders did not do themselves justice. "The game," adds this journal. •• was Of a very moderate standard, espeei l!v in the opening stages. The home forwards were superior, and when the visitors obtained an opening their passing jras very wild." The Daily News says: "The 'AllGolds' owed their ill-success entirely to bad tactics. Though the team was not to strong as that which played against Brongnton, it was good enough to win had it played the passing and running game. When the players did exploit hand-to-hand passing they showed themkerres the cleverer lot; but those occatkma were few. For the most part the ■Utore indulged in kicking, which in Horthern Union footliall is a fatuous policy. The visitors have dropped into the wont style of Yorkshire clubs' play and, though they were the cleverer fontfcallera, they aid not deserve to win."