COMMENTS ON TOUR

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28371, 2 September 1957, Page 8

COMMENTS ON TOUR

Change In Style Not Expected

Doubts as to whether the experience gained on the New Zealand tour would change the style of Fijian Rugby were expressed by the manager of the team, Mr J. W. Acroyd, in Christchurch last evening. Mr Acroyd con-sidered--that the natural style would prevail in the Islands and would stand unchanged, as it had been unaffected by three previous tours overseas. Considering the differences in grounds, climate and general playing conditions, as weir as the sickness which had dogged the team on the tour, the results had been remarkably favourable, said Mr Acroyd. The lack of any organised coaching in Fiji could be easily seen, he said, and it would be hard for New Zealanders to imagine how far the team had progressed in learning the fundamentals of the game in the last two months. Mr Acroyd referred to the Rugby practices in the Islands as being “aimless running with the ball,” with no scrummaging, rucking, or tackling. The Fijians’ tackling deficiencies were attributed by Mr Acroyd to the fact that, aften having executed an orthodox tackle, the player was temporarily out of action, and ; behind the play while he picked ■ himself up from the ground. For , this reason, the visitors preferred to try to take the ball out of their opponents’ arms, so as to be able 1 to continue in the attacking play.

“Improvisation” Fijian Rugby, said Mr Acroyd, wd's a system of “glorious improvisation,” and would in all probability remain untouched by overseas influence. The lack of really good referees in Fiji was also referred to. The deficiencies in forward play, which were so obviously demonstrated on Saturday, would probably remain, said My Acroyd. Nevertheless, the team hoped that their play had been enjoyed by the New Zealand public The Fijians, as had been obvious had enjoyed every match to the full, and they looked forward to returning. The Fijians will fly to Auckland this morning, on the first stage of their journey home. They wil fly to Fiji on Tuesday.