Rugby Canterbury Loses Last Game Of Northern Tour

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28362, 22 August 1957, Page 5

Rugby Canterbury Loses Last Game Of Northern Tour

(New Zealand Press Association)

NAPIER, August 21. The Hawke’s Bay Rugby representatives, after a patchy season, caused a surprise by beating the Canterbury touring team at McLean Park, Napier, this afternoon, by 13 points to 9. The Hawke’s Bay forwards were much quicker to the ball in the loose, and only during the first 20 minutes of the second spell did the Canterbury forwards hold control. They produced none of the tight driving play for which they have become well-known. The Canterbury backs were rattled by the number of penal-

ties awarded against their team in scrums and lineouts, and Hawke’s Bay won a number of tight heads. The best Canterbury forward was the All Black, W. J. Whineray, who showed remarkable pace and kicking and handling ability while playing in the unaccustomed role of number eight. The Hawke’s Bay backs generally handled better and showed more determination than their opponents. Scorers for Canterbury were: Whinerary, P. Hutchinson, and R. H. Duff, tries; for Hawke’s Bay, R. Forward and J. McKinnon scoried tries, A. Small converted both, and kicked a penalty.

CANTERBURY ENDS TOUR

Comments By Manager

‘‘We have played usual Canterbury football. The forwards have gone well, but the backs were not quite up to expectations at times,” said the manager of the Canterbury touring Rugby team (Mr H. C. Blazey) in a telephone interview from Napier last evening. Canterbury finished its six-match North Island tour yesterday when it lost to Hawke’s Bay by 13 points to 9. The team won three and lost three of its games.

“It has been very strenuous." said Mr Blazey. “There has been a lot of travelling. We have had our troubles with injuries and sickness, but that has not really affected the football very much. For each mati h we had near enough to 15 (it men. The amount of travelling and the number of games played in a brief period has made it difficult. On the other hand, we have met sdme teams which have played up to form. Travelling has taken the edge from us, but the opposition has been fairly strong. “The game against Hawke’s Bay was a good one to watch,” said Mr Blazey. “We scored three tries—but you can only play as well as your opponents allow you.’’ Mr Blazey said he had not been away with a better team of men. They were up to standard on the field and first-class off it. Mr B'azey and the assistantmanager. Mr W Lodge, will report on the tour to the Canterbury Rugby Union’s management committee next week.