NEW RESPECT FOR FRENCH

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31530, 18 November 1967, Page 15

NEW RESPECT FOR FRENCH

(From GRAEME JENKINS, N.Z.P.A. staff correspondent) TOULOUSE. The All Blacks arrived at Toulouse, the capital of French Rugby yesterday, with a new and healthy respect for the ability of French players.

The south-eastern France pack which had the New Zealand forwards going backwards at Lyons on Wednesday, is regarded by the tourists as among the best they have met so far.

The forward opposition they are likely to meet today from France B is not expected to be as strong, but the backs are regarded as being better

than those who played at Lyons. Five of the backs have played test Rugby and two others have represented France B. With the addition of A. Plantefol, the line-out wizard at Lyons, France B includes eight internationals. There are two other test men in the forwards, the flankers, A. Quills and J. J. Rupert. The All Blacks side is also well sprinkled with test players: only three have not played in an international. There would have been two but I. R. Macßae, who has a heavy cold, has had to withdraw and has been replaced by W. D. Cottrell. The other non-test men beside the Canterbury second five-eighths are I. A. Kirkpatrick on the side of the scrum and A. G. Jennings at lock. Teams:—

Hew Zealend: W. F. McCormick; A. G. Steel, W. L. Davis, M. J. Dick; W. D. Cottrell. E. W. Klrton; S. M. Going: B. J. Lochore: I. A. Kirkpatrick, C. E. Meads. A. G. Jennings, G. C, Williams: K. F. Gray, J Major, B. L. Muller. France B.—P. Villerpreux: A Campaes, J. p. Mir, J. P. Lux J. M. Capendeguy: J. Gachas sin, H. H. Mir: F. Bourgade: A Quillis, S. Morel, A. Plantefol J. J. Ruppert: B. Cardebat, J Baux, B. Caret.

League Drawn.—Barrow hale the Australian Rugby Leagui team to a 10-all draw after th« tourists had led 10-2 at half time. R. Coote and E. Walters scored the only tries of th< match.