FOOTBALL.

Waipukurau Press, Issue 3, 2 January 1906, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

—o — The New Zealand footballers defeated Swansea by 4 points to 3. The New Zealanders have played 32 games and lost only one. They have scored 829 points against 39 by their opponents. With a staider and more sober gait the triumphal tour of the New Zealand footballers has come to its end, the last match of all being the smallest win recorded in our favor —a mere single point, which, as it was gained by a “ potted goal to a try, is not a victory that we need boast about. Of the five Welsh matdhes, however, the “ all-blacks have won four, and have scored 29 points to their sturdy opponents’ 17. This proportion doubtless expresses the relative strength of the two contesting countries ; and with such a result New Zealanders can justly be satisfied. ’Were we to seek contributing causes to this sudden slackening in Wales of the impetuous conquering rush through England, we might find it in the place occupied by the five Welsh matches in a lump at the end of a long - and arduous tour. By the timF'the “ all-blacks ” invaded Wales, the team had no surprises left and the Welsh had carefully thought out the best methods to meet these new tactics. Yet the "Welsh batch came almost as a wrelcome to our too easily triumphant team, and we know now that they can play Rugby in Wales. New Zealand Times. JgThe following telegram was received from the Premier on Saturday.. —Greymouth, 30th Decemhsr—Ministers have under consideration a proposal (if it can be arranged) for the New Zealand football team to come back to the colony via Canada and America, the expense to be borne by the colony. It would be a treat for them and a courtesy and a mark of 'appreciation by New Zealand of the worthy manner they have represented New Zealand football in the Mother Country. The manager cf the team is in communication •with the football authorities in the colony.” [Later. —There appears to be doubt as to whether the Government will defray the whole or portion of the cost of transit. If it be the latter, the team will probably return direct.] f As the Welsh Rugby Union gave the New Zealanders half the gate from the international match the coffers of the colonials will probably be replenished to the extent |f something like £l5OO. 'Percy Bush, who was out here gvith Bedell-Sivright’s British team (predicted the defeat of the New team by Wales, and also 'informed an English writer that Glamorgan county and Cardiff would also probably beat the “ All Blacks.” He preferred not to speak of Swansea and Newport's chances at the time of the interview, but said he thought the Swansea team of last season would beat the New Zealanders. ‘'■'■'r In the course of a letter to the New Zealand Times, a correspondent says “On the same grounds that these writers suggest playing another match with Wales,! would ask:'Why not re-fight the Russo'Japanese war; re-play all the test ( cricket matches; re-run the Melbourne Cup ; replay all the tennis Championships ; and even replace >Adam in the Garden of Eden, so that New Zealand would have a Imahce to win the whole of the items above ?