Rugby League Test

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29264, 23 July 1960, Page 5

Rugby League Test

A FTER drawing the test series in Australia, by beating Australia at Sydney last Saturday, : France will play the first of two tests against New Zealand Rugby League teams at Auckland today. After being beaten by a record ; score, at Brisbane in the second test, France showed it had ability by beating the home side and at the same time silencing the critics who had been slating the team as the worst ever to tour Australia. This is the third full tour of ■ Australia and New Zealand made by a French team, and while the Australians have never beaten the French in a test series on home soil, the French have never beaten New .Zealand in a test : series in this country, although only three full internationals have been played. ;

In 1951 in the only test played, New Zealand won a match which has been written into New Zealand League history as the “Battle of Carlaw Park.” This is a match that league followers in this country will rate as one of New Zealand’s greatest efforts. Subjected to all types of sof-tening-up tactics throughout the game, the home side eventually won by 16 points to 15, but not before it lost two of its players, who were carried from the ground on stretchers.

Soon after the start of play Jim Haig suffered a fractured jaw and Travers Hardwick, the loose forward, went in behind the scrum. In the second half, after scoring a really brilliant try in his test debut, George Menzjes, first five-eighths, suffered the same

type of injury as Haig. New Zealand continued to play good football against questionable tactics until the final bell rang with France one point ahead. With the ball still in play, Bevan Hough, the Kiwi wing, was obstructed by a French player in a race to the corner, and New Zealand was awarded a penalty. From the side-line Des White kicked the goal and New Zealand won, 16-15

Two Left Of the team that played for New Zealand nine years ago, two players still retain places in. todays’ side, —Menzies and the front row forward, Cliff Johnson. In the first test in 1955, also played at Auckland, when New Zealand was beaten by. 19 points to 9, the side included Johnson and Menzies. A third member of today’s team who played was Jock Butterfield, the hooker. However, five years ago Butterfield packed down in the second tow. Butterfield was not in the second test team, and Menzies and Johnson were still the only two in today’s side who played in the second test in 1955. New Zealand won the second game by 11 points to 6.

Canterbury Men Three Canterbury players played in both of thpse games—A. Atkinson, L. Blanchard and P. Creedy. Of these three, Blanchard is the only one who plays regular club football now. Creedy has played several games for Marist this season, but Atkinson retired several seasons ago and has been a Canterbury selector for the last three years.

Ranger’s surprise wsn over Nomads last Saturday at Macfarlane Park was a genuine team effort, and a reward for attempting to play good, combined soccer, but one whose contribution was noteworthy was P. Cole. Normally a forward, Cole, bearded and athletic, who won a Chatham Cup medal at the age of 19, played at centre-half for the second time this season and controlled the central path to goal so effectively that -the usually dangerous Norftads attack was contained to one rather fortuitous goal. Cole apparently prefers to play in the forwards, but on this display he proved that he- would be of great value to Rangers in the role of pivot. The new secretary of the Canterbury Hockey Association, Mr D. A. Coulter, is well fitted for the

task. With a good record in the sport as a player, Mr Coulter has also given outstanding service as a keen organiser and a d ministrator. He has been a member of the management

committee for four years, and as secretary, will be entitled to exercise a vote not previously accorded to that office.

A clever, scheming inside forward several other clubs must regard jealously is J. Adams, of Atlantis. In his first season in Christchurch after arriving from. Edinburgh, Adams showed by his display for Scotland in the soccer ‘'international” against England that he can set up the chances for fellow forwards. Adams has been a member of the provincial training squad this season, hurt regular games in a higher standard of soccer might bring him more into prominence. It is a pity that he is now hidden in senior B foot-ball.