M. P. Weston A Fine Rugby Captain

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30146, 1 June 1963, Page 9

M. P. Weston A Fine Rugby Captain

ILT P. WESTON, captain of the English Rugby team to play Zealand today, does not fit into the accepted picture of an international centre. He is quietly-spoken, looks very boyish, belying his*2s years, and at first glance would not seem to have the toughness thought necessary to play 17 times for England.

But Weston received his Rugby baptism on a tour of South Africa, which with New Zealand is the moment of truth for most players He played 11 of the first 15 games on that tour, usually at centre, but more often at fly-half after R. W. Sharp was injured. “And then,” he said, “I was finished.” All Blacks who have toured South Africa could understand the physical strain he experienced there from the travelling and hard matches.

This short tour by England may not have been the greatest of successes from the playing record, but the team certainly has been one of the most highly regarded of all touring teams.

That the standard of deportment and sportsmanship has been so high reflects

well on Weston, who has set an impeccable standard for the team. Weston began playing Rugby at the age of seven and. is convinced that his most formative Rugby years were between the ages of seven and 12, when he leafned most fundamental skills. That he absorbed them well on this tour is obvious, for he has been one of the steadiest of the English backs, and certainly the best tackler.