Tonga Beats N.Z. Maori Team 27-16

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29211, 23 May 1960, Page 14

Tonga Beats N.Z. Maori Team 27-16

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

(Rec. 9 p.m.) NUKUALOFA, May 21. The largest Rugby crowd for years converged on the Nukualofa sports ground this afternoon to see the Tongan XV defeat the Maori touring team in the fourth and last game of the series, whieh was billed as a test, by 27 points to 16. The crowd of nearly 8000 packed the ground and every vantage point outside the enclosure, including coconut trees, was crowded with small boys.

Tension was high as the two sides took the field after being presented to Prince Tungi. The spectators were delighted by a Tongan Arar cry in reply to the haka.

The Tongan team, which had been in barracks for two weeks, had too much in reserve for the Maoris, who were having their fourth game in eight days. A feature of the play was the dominance of the Tongan forwards, who had a height and weight advantage in the scrums and lineouts. Their fast following up and bustling enabled them to excel in broken play from which several of their seven tries came.

The Maori backs were not allowed as much latitude as in previous games, but when opportunity offered showed initiative and enterprise, several times launching attacks from near their own line.

Reedy’s try was one of these. Herewini made a break and after several Maori backs had handled, Raureti sent the ball on to Reedy, who went over by the posts after showing the opposition a clean pair of heels.

Herewini and Reedy were the pick of the backs. The Maori pack worked hard all day, Paiaka, Porima, and Maiapoto being outstanding. The loose men had an off day. Porima’s solo try in the closing stages came after a 70-yard run and was the try of the match.

The loss of a Maori back through injury half-way through the second spell, when the Maoris

looked as if they might pull the game out of the fire, was sorely felt, but the team fought on gamely and were attacking vigorously over the final stages of the match.

The Tongan team played a fine bustling game and deserved its win.

The wisdom of playing four games in eight days by a touring team in the tropics is open to question. Scorers for the Maoris were Bevan. Porima and Reedy. Thompson and Whatarau converted one each and Whatarau kicked a penalty goal. In spite of the high casualty list, the team is in good spirits and is looking forward to the second stage of the tour in Samoa, where it hopes the grounds are softer. The team will leave Nukualofa on Tuesday morning.