KIWIS ON TOUR Lacked Speed, Leadership

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30937, 18 December 1965, Page 17

KIWIS ON TOUR Lacked Speed, Leadership

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND. The 1965 New Zealand Rugby League team lacked speed, physique and tactical leadership, said the co-manager, Mr W. O’Callaghan, and the coach, Mr W. Telford, when the Kiwis returned to Auckland yesterday.

Negative professional play in England and a tremendous revival of strength in France were other reasons given for the Kiwis’ test record of five losses and one draw. “Our players never found a counter for the professional shrewdness of the English players,” said Mr O'Callaghan “Someone with real tactical experience, someone like Me) Cooke (the 1964 Kiwi captain) could have made a great difference." Mr Telford praised the efforts of the younger members of his team. “We blooded several young players who should form the basis of teams in future,” said Mr Telford. “However, this team lacked the speed and physique to combat the English forwards. The other co-manager, Mr T. Wellsmore, said that Britain and France had improved out of sight since their last visits to New Zealand. “Both are rebuilding their team strength." he said. “There is tremendous competition for places in their teams, especially in England where a tour of Australia and New Zealand is coming up." Mr O'Callaghan said the standard of play in France bad Improved tremendously, snd was not for from the great standard of 1951. “The French team we saw in New Zealand last year was nowhere near aa strong as the one that we played this time." he said.