LOSS “CRYING INJUSTICE”

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28951, 20 July 1959, Page 12

LOSS “CRYING INJUSTICE”

South African Comment (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 10 p.m.) JOHANNESBURG, July 18 A newspaper headline, "Lions Lose—A Crying Injustice,” reflected the general opinion in South Africa on the New Zealand victory over the Lions in the first test at Dunedin. All newspapers devoted considerable space to Don Clarke’s record-breaking kicking feat. Mr B. Wintie, the South African Rugby Board’s liaison officer with the All Blacks in 1949, said: “New Zealand can thank their lucky stars that Don Clarke is not a Maori and therefore will accompany them next year to South Africa.” Mr George van Reenen, a national selector and a member of the Springbok touring team to New Zealand in 1937, said that considering the injuries the Lions had suffered their failure to best the All Blacks by only one point could be considered a sensation. He added: “As for our prospect next year, I am not scared of the All Blacks.” In Britain, the Sunday newspapers lamented the Lions’ defeat, but paid tribute to the efforts of Clarke. The “Sunday Express” said Clarke’s kicking robbed the Lions of a “victory well deserved.” The “Sunday Times” said: “The manner of the Lions’ undoing hardly bears talking about. New Zealanders, much as they like to win, know their Rugby and they knew today that fan injustice had been done.” The “Observer” commented: “What a. tragedy. What an unmitigated misfortune.”