WALLABY MANAGER SAYS: Too Many Tests Played In N.Z. Short Tour

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30531, 28 August 1964, Page 13

WALLABY MANAGER SAYS: Too Many Tests Played In N.Z. Short Tour

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 27. He would favour short tours, but with a limited number of test matches, the team manager of the touring Australian Rugby side (Mr J. P. French) said today in Wellington.

Speaking at a press conference as the eight-match tour nears its end, Mr French said he felt there would be nothing wrong in playing two tests in a tour such as the present one, but in effect there had been a test every week.

“We played Auckland as a test,” he added.

“I think the New Zealand Rugby Union thought it was doing the right thing in sending us to the minor unions between tests, but in practice it did not work out,” Mr French said. 15 Matches

“The players had to reach test match fervour, drop down to a minor match, then climb into top gear again.” Preparation for a test should extend over at least five matches, said Mr French. On this basis there should be 15 provincial matches in a tour with three tests. Discussing the Wallabies’s impressive record in South Africa last year compared with the unimpressive record on the present tour, he said the harder grounds in South Africa better suited the type

of Rugby Australia endeavoured to play. He was happy with the play of the Australian forwards, but, he added, “I think they can do even better. “I think the backs are as good as we have ever had but I don’t think they have struck the form they displayed in the trials, although they have had plenty of opportunities.” Mr French said he considered the new rules eould do away with dour test football. At Christchurch in the second test, the All Blacks had opened play up in the spirit of the new rules and the game had been a bright one to watch.

Asked to name those he considered as the outstanding players the Australians had met on tour, Mr French said that the Auckland half-back, D. Connor, had played magnificently and was largely responsible for the thrashing handed out to the Wallabies. “Connor is supreme among

half-backs in the world,” he said. Mr French named another Aucklander. P. Murdoch, as the “find of the year for New Zealand. Surprised “I saw Murdoch In Australia with the Colts and thought he was a very fine five-eighths. I was surprised when he was not selected for the first test,” Mr French commented. Of the players he had seen in the minor provincial matches it was H. Milner, of East Coast, who was most easily remembered. The Australians had seen Milner with the New Zealand Colts and had been very impressed.

“Milner must surely be a future All Black,” he said. He had no complaints to make as far as tour arrangements were concerned, and the standard of refereeing had been equally as good as any in Australia.