Kiwis Blundered, Says Aust. Coach

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30171, 1 July 1963, Page 12

Kiwis Blundered, Says Aust. Coach

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

SYDNEY, June 30.

A tactical error by New Zealand may have cost the Kiwis the third and final Rugby League test against Australia on Saturday, said the Australian coach, Mr Clive Churchill.

He felt that New Zealand should not have moved its captain and loose forward. M. L. Cooke, to half-back. “Half-back is a specialist position, and should be played by a specialist. I feel the Kiwis made a blunder They should have left Cooke at loose forward and played their specialist man at half-back,” said Mr Churchill. The New Zealand coach, Mr W. Telford, said the Kiwis loss of W. L. Snowden had a destrimental effect. “We lost our link. Snowden’s absence made a big hurdle to overcome “We could not penetrate with the ground conditions as they were. We have no excuses. Australia played well under the conditions." he said. The Kiwi manager. Mr G Plant, said the best team won. “Australia played more constructive football. Conditions were against good football, but Australia capitalised every advantage However, the score of 14-0 was not a true indication of

the game. Lt was much closer than that.”

Cooke thought it was definitely Australia's day. “The Kiwis, had no sting compared with the second test. There was too much difference in build-up to the test. We did not have enough time to train before this test “Snowden’s absence had its effect but you cannot take credit away from Australia,” he said.