Strong Fijian Rugby team should beat Maoris in Chch test

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32349, 15 July 1970, Page 15

Strong Fijian Rugby team should beat Maoris in Chch test

(By

J. K. BROOKS)

A vast improvement in " the spirit and standard of the national Maori Rugby team will have to be effected if the side is to defeat the touring Fijian side, in the

first test at Lancaster Park in 10 days time. The Maoris lost both tests (26-19 and 19-6) to Tonga last season. And Tonga has been the underdog in recent

games against Fiji. In 1967 the Fijians beat Tonga, 2-0, with one game drawn, and the 1968 series was won by Fiji, 2-1. The present Fijian side is hailed in some quarters as the best to have emerged from the islands. It is captained by E. Bolawaqatabu, who played for Queensland against the 1968 All Blacks, and its ranks include several experienced forwards and lively backs, well equipped to maintain the tradition of bright, enterprising football established by previous Fijian teams.

The Fijians have had the benefit of more play at top level than has Tonga. In the last two years Fiji has played the All Blacks and Wales in Suva and has toured Tonga and Australia. The Australian tour, made while the Wallabies were in South Africa, brought a handsome return of seven wins in nine matches. The only losses were to New South Wales and Queensland. each by one point. After this trip, the Fijians demolished all the opposing sides in the South Pacific Games at Port Moresby, scoring 473 points to 27 in five matches. The team drubbed New Caledonia. 113-3. and the British Solomon Islands. 113-13. The 1970 aid* i» a mixture

of seasoned players and smart newcomers, who proved their worth in a thorough trial series which was spread over five days jn May and June. The side hopes to eliminate loose packing in the rucks and wild passing, without losing the exciting qualities of Fijian Rugby. The manager of the team (Mr T. Vuetilovoni) and the assistant manager (Mr I. Tabualevu) are well acquainted with Rugby in New Zealand; both attended Victoria University in Wellington and played senior Rugby for the university. A member of the team who will be equally at home is K. Nalatu, a dashing centre who played for Counties. last year. He is the joint holder of the Fijian 100 metres track record of 10.6 sec. On the left wing the tourists have J. Radrodro, who was the Fijian 100 metres champion a few years ago. A number of the forwards, too. have speed as well as bulk in their favour. Bolawaqatabu and the vice-captain. S. Toga, a back row forward, are both players of long experience. Toga was on the great Fijian tour of Wales. France and Canada in 1964. Another seasoned forward and a former Jijian captain

is J. Naucabalavau, a 31-year-old lock. There is another player with the same name in the side, so, to avoid confusion, they will be known as “senior” and “junior” on tour. Nauca, balavau, junr., is a 21-year-old loose forward. Great interest will be aroused by the goal-kicking technique of one of the halfbacks, N. Rabale, a “round-the-corner” expert who starts his run-up with his back to the ball.' A new cap. he produced grand form in the trials.

This is the fourth Fijian side to tour New Zealand; the preceding teams are all remembered for their unorthodox and entertaining approach to the game.

The 1939 side was unbeaten on its tour and one of its wings, J. B. Voreque, was chosen by the “Rugby Almanack of New Zealand” as one of its five players of the year.

After the 1951 Fijian tour, the Almanack went so far as to name three members of the touring side among its five top men of the season. They were J. Levula, the spectacular wing. G. Cavalevu, the captain and second five-eighths, and R. Vuruya, the No. 8. The last tour, in 1957, ended with the burly loose forward. N. Nabaro. finding favour with the Almanack. This team had 10 wins and two draws in 15 games; the 1951 side had eight wins and two draws in a similar number of matches.