NATHAN BRILLIANT

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31162, 12 September 1966, Page 3

NATHAN BRILLIANT

Nathan was outstanding in the All Black pack. His swiftness, ruthless tackling and quickness to start passing movements placed him ahead of Lochore and C. E. Meads, who both played to their best form.

It was Nathan who upset Watkins by forcing him across field and twice crashing him back yards in fierce tackles. Nathan’s try was the result of quick thinking when he called to C. E. Meads for the ball after it had gone into touch a foot from the Lions’ goal-line. Lochore had his best game of the series. He rallied his team when they were being upset by their own errors and the brilliance of the Lions backs, and made some telling runs from the end of the line-outs. HANDLING ERRORS Tremain was vigorous in the loose but, for him, made a surprising number of handling errors. C. E. Meads earned the crowd’s displeasure when he cuffed little Watkins over the head and Watkins had to receive medical attention. He lay on the ground for three minutes but there was no injury and Watkins was only dazed. | Apart from that blemish, j which earned him some kicks while he was on the ground in the next ruck. Meads was again a mighty figure. He subdued Mcßride in the lineouts, gained clean and quick possession for Laidlaw, and in the tight, driving play his tremendous strength made it necessary for three Lions to try to restrain him. Once he struggled forward with five Lions vainly trying to wrest the ball from him

and to be stopped he had to be forced over the touch-line. WON GREAT DUEL S. T. Meads had a great duel with Price at No. 5 and won in the end. Hazlett and Gray made a powerful front row with McLeod. The scrummaging was not quite as effective as in the third test, but it was in the tight-loose that Gray and Hazlett were superior to Williams and McLoughlin. Hazlett showed surprising speed, and it was he who passed the ball to Steel for Steel’s try. McLeod took three tight heads and conceded one and. as usual, was a lively figure in the loose. It was a great effort for seven Lions forwards to match the All Blacks for much of the game, but, as in other tests, they did not have the strength and combined power to provide sufficient opportunities for their backs. Mcßride. Price, whose line-out jumping was aided often by Telfer hoisting him up by the pants, Williams and McLoughlin slogged away and gave everything, but it was not quite enough. COVERED QUICKLY Telfer was a grand loose forward, covering quickly, and he was always near the loose ball. Lamont tackled well and harrassed Laidlaw, unmercifully. Williment atoned for his missed tackle of Hinshelwood by two excellent tackles on Bebb, and his general play was quite sound. However, he missed . three easy penalties. Dick was a welcome sight on the wing with his aggressive running. His try was a superb effort.

An attempted dropped goal by Herewini was charged down and the ball slewed across in front of the Lions’ posts. Dick darted in and picked up the wickedly-rolling ball, sidestepped Telfer, who had come over on cover defence, and dived through Wilson’s tackle.

Steel tackled exceptionally well, but his handling was not good, and he was well looked after by Hinshelwood. Rangi was not prominent, but Macrae made some good runs in loose nlay and kicked adroitly. Herewini had to contend with many noor passes from Laidlaw, but he recovered well and his steady kicking brought the All Blacks to an ascendancy in the second half.. COSTLY MISTAKES Once again the Lions backs d'id some brilliant things, but also made too many errors. Three of the All Blacks tries occurred because a Lions back fumbled the ball under pressure. Lewis had a good came a* half-back, running well and passing crisply. Watkins was rather subdued, and it was Gibson who was the most penetrative of the Lions backs. He made two beautiful breaks and was always the danger man. He had one exciting moment when he charged down a kick and then toed the ball for 70 yards with three All Blacks racing after him. But a knockon was ruled when he was 20 yards from the goal-line, although Gibson said after the game that he did not handle the ball. McFadyean was a thrustful centre, and Bebb and Hinshelwood were fast and elusive wings. Wilson did not have a happy time at full-back, but when he ran with the ball he was most effective.