New Zealand ‘Surprised’ British Touring Team

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29901, 15 August 1962, Page 8

New Zealand ‘Surprised’ British Touring Team

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, Aug. 14. The British Rugby League team manager (Mr Stuart Hadfield), at Auckland today, denied allegations that his players had shirked training for the New Zealand tour. "We trained before the second test,” he said. “That was last Thursday, with the test on the Saturday. On the Wednesday the team visited physiotherapists for general toning up—even the ones who were fit—and on the Wednesday the team had played in Rotorua. “The team also trained three times before the first test,” said Mr Hadfield. “I know, because I was at those training . runs at Carlaw Park.” Different View Mr Hadfield admitted that British professionals had a different view of the New Zealand section of the tour than, for example, the average Kiwi League supporter. “Our main object was to win the series in Australia,”

he said. “If this is done, as my team did, the side is willing to settle for one loss and one win in New Zealand. "Well, New Zealand surprised us. It was a much batter team than anticipated.” Injury-conscious Mr Hadfield said that towards the end of the tour—“it was too long, no doubt ; about that” —the team had ; become injury - conscious. , Only the hooker, J. Shaw, 1 was uninjured throughout the ‘ tow. Mr Hadfield said that any j excuses for Britain’s form 1 could not take away the . merit from New Zealand’s wins. ; “We would have given the Kiwis a close game with our best and our fittest team," he said. “But I would not pre. diet that we would have won.”