'Loss Will Do Us No Harm’

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29827, 21 May 1962, Page 12

'Loss Will Do Us No Harm’

(Special Crspat tr.Z.p.A.)

SYDNEY, May 2a “Naturally we are disappointed we were beaten, but the loss will do us no harm and could do the game in Australia a lot of good," said the All Blacks* manager, Mr J. D. King, after the side was beaten by New South Wales on Saturday. “We congratulate the State side, although I personally consider the result was well against the run of play ” The State coach, Mr B Palmer, said he was pleased with the result, but was in do doubt that the better team lost “I think this is one of the best New Zealand sides we have seen,*’ he said. “I have never seen a team attack so well. “They attacked us from everywhere, and we were lucky that the defence held.” Mr Palmer said the State side had not played to a set plan, but had gone on to the field ready to meet whatever kind of play the All Blacks dictated. He realised the tests could be a very different undertaking for Australia.

One of the Australian selectors, and assistant manager of the last Australian team to tour New Zealand. Mr R. E M McLaughlin, said New South Wales won simply because of its rocklike defence and the inability of D B Clarke to kick goals “The scoring machine was off line, but we don’t expect to be as lucky as this again.” he said “This ts a good New Zealand side, and I am sure it will be much tougher to beat in the tests ” Sydney Sunday newspaper writers paid tribute to the New South Wale captain. J Lenehan and Mr Palmer for their part in the Al) Blacks’ defeat The “Sun Herald" said Lenehan repeatedly turned back New Zealand attacks and pulled New South Wales out of the fire with two beautifully executed dropkicked penalty goals at vital stages of the match “New Zealand tried to use their lightning fast backs in the attacking brand of football but met a wall of defence time after time as the home players rose to the occasion. “Although the All Blacks scored two tries to none, nothing could be taken away

from the New South Wales side.” Australia’s best - known Rugby writer, Phil Tressider. said New South Wales’ hero was Lenehan, but it was Mr Palmer who infused the vital will to win into the State side. “With the crowd. Palmer endured the final 10 minutes of agony as New Zealand’s giant forwards battered the New South Wales goal-line Somehow the New South Wales players summoned strength to keep them out. “The New South Wales victory was just the tonic the game needed.” Tresidder said "It was an ironical touch that New South Wales should win through goal kicking against a side which boasts the greatest pointscoring kicker in the game Don Clarke truly had an all black day.” The “Sunday Mirror” praised the New South Wales forwards—“a tough experienced pack which took on the mighty AU Blacks and matched them at their own game. “Although behind during all the second half, the New Zealanders continued to play their new brand of Rugby with the accent on open enterprising footbaU.”