Relief in Defeat

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27204, 23 November 1953, Page 10

Relief in Defeat

Every touring New Zealand Rugby football team since 1925 has been oppressed by the record of the “ Invincibles ” even in these enlightened days when New Zealanders no longer regard defeat on the football field as a national disaster. Most Rugby enthusiasts in this country have long since grown accustomed to the idea that others may play the game as well as New Zealanders, and better at times. They like to see their touring teams do well, but are quite philosophical about it when they do badly. But even though the teams themselves may disavow any such intention—as R. C. Stuart did at the beginning of this tour—every side that leaves New Zealand must nurse a sneaking hope that the unbeaten and unbeatable record of the 1924-25 team may be equalled. And however determinedly the members of a team may strive to put that uncomfortable record out of their minds, the sports writers insist on keeping it before their notice. The AU Blacks* defeat at Cardiff on Saturday may be the very best thing that could have happened. Any good team will learn more from its

defeats than its victories, of course; and it seems abundantly clear that the Welsh backs had much to teach the New Zealanders in the finer arts of attacking play. But the benefit may go much further than that. The ghost of the 1924-25 record has been laid; and this team will no longer be haunted by it. The team will continue to try to win its matches; it will no longer' be obsessed with the need to avoid defeat The players 1 themselves should enjoy their games more; and they may be encouraged to take the risks and to play the more open type of game which the spectators enjoy—and which Wins converts to the game.