Pleased With Welcome

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30635, 29 December 1964, Page 13

Pleased With Welcome

No All Black team could have received a better Wellcome than that given the Canterbury University Rugby team when it arrived in Tokyo on December 18, says a letter to “The Press” from C. R. Hockley, captain of the touring team. “A horde of photographers enveloped the team as it emerged from the plane to be met by the New Zealand Ambassador (Mr E. B. E. Taylor) who was a former member of the University Rugby Club, and members of the Japanese Rugby Union. “A press conference for the team officials was held ini

the airport building and two little Japanese girls presented me with a huge bouquet of flowers. “Before the team’s arrival the players had speculated about the Japanese interpretation of the laws but a lengthy discussion held at the request of the Japanese referees showed that the Japanese were well acquainted with the new laws. “Comprehensive correspondence on the new laws had been received from the New Zealand Rugby Union and it was obvious that this had been studied with meticulous care.

“The first match against

Doshida University at Osaka was played before a large crowd of more than 10,000 persons. Doshida bustled to an early lead of 11-0 and Canterbury University had to struggle desperately to win by 15-14. “The game gave the university players a healthy respect for the speed and fitness of the Japanese. “Doshida was the 1963 AllJapanese Rugby champions but the hardest match is likely to be against the Yawata Steel Company.” The University team beat Yawata but lost to All-Waseda in the fourth match of the tour.