“ ALL BLACKS” TOUR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2135, 18 July 1907, Page 3

“ ALL BLACKS” TOUR.

BEATEN BY FOURTEEN POINTS. GREAT PLAY BY HOME TEAM. NEW ZEALANDERS PLAY BADLY United Press Association—Copyright Received Julv 17, B.S pan. / SYDNEY, July 17. There was fine weather for the match, but. a 'keen southerly wind was blowing. About 2d,000 spectators, including Lord Northcoto, were presold.. McKwnro replaced Waddell in the local tenm. There were several changes in the New Zealand team, owing to slight injuries and other causes. Booth, three-quarter, Echold, five-eighths, Coleman, wing, Patton and Spencer, forwards, have replaced Mitclunson. Mynott, Gillott, Seeling and O’Sullivan respectively. On Saturday the Welshmen made

many mistakes which prevented a closer finish than was accomplished, but to-day they profited by the mistakes and "are an exposition of Rugby that it would bo difficult to find fault with. Their passing was clean and good and their scrums excelled those of the Now Zealanders, ft very time the hall was got out in workmanlike manner and splendidly handled by the backs, while the visitors rarely got possession, and if they did get it three times it was as much as they did, so that the backs rarely had an opportunity t‘o show their mettle. On the few occasions it came their way they apparently did not know what to do with it.' In the second spell N.S.W. territory was virtually a desert, for the number of times the New Zealander:: could he seen there could ho counted on the fingers of one hand. It is a record too for New Zealand not to score at all. They have been beaten before, but never bv a lovo game. The All Blacks won the toss and j took advantage of n strong wind from the south end and the blurs

mad© an early start, by a good dribbling rush, which Wallace only sue needed in stopping in the nick of time. Play was removed to the een tre, but the blues were soon again at their opponents, when Roberts by a good kick got the ball into 'the enemy’s quarters. The blacks’ rush was stopped by Messenger and the game was removed to neutral territory for a time, then Coleman headed another rush at the local side’s goalline and when within the 25 yard;

marie there appeared a prospect oi his getting in, but he lost lus foot hold and a tough tussle ensued in local territory which was only relieved by the blues being awarded a free-kick. A long return by Spencer compelled the Welshmen, to force. The blacks continued .to force the pace, but the brilliant kicking of Dix kept the attackers at bay. A free kick to New Zealand gave Wallace a shot at goal, but the ball was cleverly intercepted and a daugerou: bluo rush was set in motion. It ap peered as if a- score was imminent but a faulty pass spoilt the blues’ manoeuvres for a time. As a result of a desperate strugglo on the visitors line, McCue just battled across the goal-hue and drew first blood for the home team. The shot at goal was from a difficult angle and the additional points were not secured . N.S.W. .., 3' New Zealand 0 Almost immediately the game resumed the blues placed the blacks again on the defensive, but the tension for a time was relieved bv a freekick to the visitors. The All Blacks were playing a hard game, but it lacked devil, and the blues continued to press them hard, the visitors being forced twice in quick succession Down again charged the home team and the blacks were once more in difficulties. Try as they would the Welshmen swarmed all over them and Russell getting possession slipped over the line. Messenger was entrusted with the shot at goal which was unsuccessful. N.S.W ; 6 Zealand 0 The New Zealanders could not carry the war far out of their own grounds and were kept busily dofendingtheir line until the whistle sounded half time without further addition to the score. The local fifteen had a great ovation for the success so far achieved. The second spell was begun bv Francis kicking well down the. field Immediately the blues began the attack by a rush from the centre of the field which ended in a serum in front of the New Zealand posts, the hall coming out to Russell who whipped it to Messenger.' It was an exciting moment as both Spencer and Hunter closed on him, but he dived low between them and secured the third try for his side. He took the kick himself and sent the ball between the posts. N.S.W 11 New Zealand 0 The local men were now playing like a. machine, no opportunities being given and no chances thrown away. The New Zealand attacking was defective. They were demoralised. Certainly they made the game willing enough, but there were no tactics. It was a disorganised defence. The forwards tried desperately to relieve the position but thenopponents had them well in hand, and a fine run by Russell was only stopped by Spencer when a certain score appeared immenent. New Zealand forced the play still persistently, T)ut were kept in their own territory, and they were only able to keep the blues from scoring. The All Blacks had struck a hornet’s nest. It was the hottest thing ever put up by a local team. The enthusiasm of the onlookers was roused to an interne pitch and the applause was deafening when Messenger placed a. beautiful goal from a mark. N.S.W 14 New Zealand 0 The concluding few minutes witnessed the ton-rare spectacle of New Zealand invading N.S.W. territory. They tried hard to force a passage, but the defence of the home team was just as good as their attack had been. Roberts secured a mark in a likely place but Wallace played the ball on outside of the posts. It was the blacks’ only chance in the game to get a score and it was denied them. The whistle sounded without further score. It was a brilliant victory by a brilliant team.