BACKS RUN BETTER

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29245, 1 July 1960, Page 3

BACKS RUN BETTER

Costly Handling Lapses [From NOEL WOLMtS, “Auckland Star” Correspondent, by arrangement with NJZJ».A.I - RHOKANA GROUNDS (Rhodesia), June 29. ,The AU Blacks’ showing against the Rhodesian fifteen, although nothing to rave about, at least brought out one cheering point—backs who can run. For the first time since the draw with Natal, the ball was spun regularly. Had it not been for handling lapses among the three-quarters the' score could easily have been doubled. Another factor hampering the New Zealand attack was the great fondness for scrums displayed by the referee. As New Zealand' was usually on attack, the All Blacks had little chance of gaining possession except from tight heads. Urbahn, Nesbit, and Bremner combined well in tricky moves, although Urbahn gave the impression he is still not fully recovered from his leg injury. The three-quarters were adequate but McMuUen had speUs of fumbling and Cameron, in his first appearance in Africa, showed a lack of match play. Meads was best of the forward pack, which as always seemed to lack a solid core with Jones and MacKwan absent

Making his debut as replacement hooker. Boon was sorely puzzled by the referee’s requirements—but he was not alone in that He should settle in well. The Rhodesian side was rather stronger than the All Blacks had been led to believe, but the watch was a useful workout for about a dozen New Zealanders who had not played for a fortnight.