N.Z. TEAM BEATS WALES

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26600, 10 December 1951, Page 10

N.Z. TEAM BEATS WALES

RUGBY LEAGUE

FORWARDS PLAY WELL FOR 15-3 WIN

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 7 pjn.) LONDON, December 8. The New Zealanders had every reason to be satisfied with their win by 15 points to 3 against Wales, in difficult conditions, at Bradford last evening. It rained heavily during the match and the ground was covered in pools of water.The tourists showed they were much superior to Wales in the thrust and strength of their forwards in the open. Outstanding among the forwards, were Atkinson and Mcßride, but all the forwards did well, frequently making ground on a very heavy field., Haig was a lively scrum-half and cooperated well with Atkinson. Both the Robertsons were' strong at centre and especially useful in defence. Edwards was not often in possession, but did all that was expected of him at right wing three-quarters. Wales showed its best fprm before the interval, when the team produced numerous brisk passing -movements, with R. Williams, of Leeds, and L. Williams, of 1 Huntslet, prominent. R. Williams broke 1 through on several occasions, but the tourists almost invariably had an answer to the Welsh passing attacks. The New Zealand cover defence was remarkably T.VVt to , cross i n tbe sticky conditions. Wales did. not show the enthusiasm of the tourists. In the first half Atkinson and Haig scored tries for New Zealand, Eastlake converting the second. After the interval Eastlake kicked a penalty goal and Gullick scored an unconverted try for Wales. Towards the end Mcßride scored a great solo try, which Eastlake converted with a fine goal. Near the end of the game Bruce fell over the Welsh fulLback. Griffiths, and twisted h knee. He was carried off. The attendance was 10,000.

SIGNING UP OF N.Z. PLAYERS ENGLISH COUNCIL TO REIMPOSE BAN Press Association—Copyright) ’ L T LONDON, . Dec. 6. t T £ e ? u 8 b Y League Council decided at to impose an immediate °H signing by Eng!!r h B .,l U i5 8 Y? f ; NeW ! Zealand Rugby League or Rugby Union players unless a clearance certificate was granted by the New Zealand authorities. The existing ban is due to expire on December 12. Zaaland Rugby League presiRedwood) told the meeting that the Rugby League game in New Zealand was on a higher kvel than ever before, but if the. ban were lifted it would not last another 10 years because New Zealand s best players would leave. This would also t affect Rugby League in EngL an< L A® caus . e the wealthier clubs would be bidding for the best players. Mr Redwood said he felt that New Zealand s touring arrangements were too s tF er Vi ous : he suggested that they should visit England at five-yearly instead of four-yearly intervals as at present. He also urged that future New Zealand tourists should play matches in Scotland, Ireland, and London and that the tours should start two or three weeks earlier in order to get games in the late afternoons. These suggestions might be considered by the council in preparation for the international conference in Lyons in January, Mr Redwood said. N.Z. PLAYERS CHOSEN FOR THIRD TEST (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 7.10 p.m.) LONDON, December 8. The New Zealand Rugby League touring team has announced 14 names from which the side for the third and final test against Great Britain at Headingley, Leeds, on December 15 will be selected. They are:— D, White. J. Forrest, F. Baxter. M. Robertson, W. B. Hough or J. Edwards, C. •Eastlake, J. Haig, C. Johnson, G. Davidson, W. McLennan, C. Mcßride, F. Mulcare, and A. Atkinson. Either Hough or Edwards will play at right wing three-quarters instead of B. Robertson, who was hurt in the game

B. ROBERTSON OUT FOR REST OF TOUR

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) ] (Rec. 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, December 8. I B. Robertson, who was injured in the t game against Wales last evening, is in the 1 Bradford Royal Infirmary with torn ligaments at the back of a knee. He will 4 have an operation on Tuesday and. will ‘ take no further part in the tour. He will 1 not go to France and may have to stay in Britain when the team returns home. • There is a fear that he may not have ‘ recovered sufficiently to t*ke part in nexi , season's football in New Zealand. G. Menzies, the first five-eighths, whe has undergone an operation for a sligh , rupture, is making satisfactory prosres: < and will accompany the team to France as a spectator.