SUPERIOR BACKS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 215, 11 September 1944, Page 7

SUPERIOR BACKS

MAORI LEAGUE WIN FORWARDS WELL MATCHED Colourful back play by the Maori League team brought about the defeat by 18 points to 13 of the Pakehas in a match at Carlaw Park on Saturday in aid of the injured players' fund, which will benefit to the extent of about £360. Af half-time the Pakehas led 13-7. Jn the second half the Maoris attacked in a sustained way, and open play with daring passing movements brought three tries, one of which was converted. Good Forwards.—The forward play In the match was a fine feature, and on the day both packs were well matched. In the Pakcha scrum R. R. Hull was prominent for all-round play, and in the loose N. Johnson, the heavy Otahuhu forwards, and T. Hardwlck, of Ponsonby, played with untiring dash. In the Maori forwards the outstanding players were the New Zealand representative. Hawea Mataira, whose long passing from the nick started many movements, snd P. Ririnui. Hilton, the Richmond forward, and Rogers, of Manukau, showed up well in the loose play. Better Backs.—The Maori backs showed more dash and combination than their Pakeha opponents. The respective halfbacks, Major, for Maoris, and Clement, for Pakehas, both played splendid games. The Maori inside-backs, Silva, Murray and Salaia. worked with a perfect understanding, and on the wing there was in Taumata a speedy, hard-running player Yvho was always dangerous in attack. At full-back Ralph Martin played a brilliant positional game. Faults by the Pakeha backs were numerous, and bad handling early in the game by Magill, at full-back, got his team into difficulties. His form was much below a standard the Richmond player set earlier in the season.