Rugby Test

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28952, 21 July 1959, Page 3

Rugby Test

Sif,— “Once upon a time there was a great, big goal-kicking Springbok . named Okey Gefiftn. . . .’’—Yours, etc., 18-17. July 18. 1958. Sir^—Victors, of course, can afford ' to be magnanimous, but out of toe Lions’ defeat seems to have., come sweetness in abundance. Rarely can such generous tributes have been paid to the losers of so momentous a struggle, even if, assuming them to baye been correctly reported, certain high officials of the New Zealand Rugby Union appear to have been rather less effusive than the generality of their chivalrous compatriots. Furthermore, as an Englishman who has watched sundry international contests in this country, one would be prepared to challenge, the statement, made in the report of the match, that as spectators' New Zealanders are not remarkable for impartiality On such occasions at any rate, the average New Zealand crowd seems to provide an atmosphere (of genuine good sportsmanship and that in itself must be ample reward for any visiting team that, win or lose, plays the game.— Yours, etc.. TOUCHLINE. July 20, 1959.