“BEAUTIFUL”

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33060, 30 October 1972, Page 1

“BEAUTIFUL”

(N.Z. Press Assn. —Copyright) LONDON. British press scepticism on the merits of the seventh All Blacks has changed overnight to glowing praise and awed disbelief. The All Blacks’ crushing 39-12 win over Western Counties yesterday did not silence the press critics —- it changed them to open admirers. Without a dissenting voice, Britain’s Sunday newspapers agreed that the tourists were as good or better than their illustrious predecessors. SAME MESSAGE “All Blacks are so beautiful,” said the back page headline in the “Observer,” and in other newspapers the message was the same. The “Sunday Telegraph” described them as the “Jumbo Jet of world Rugby,” and said they were likely to remain unbeaten on the tough, 26match tour.

Its Rugby correspondent, Michael Melford, said the All Blacks’ strength was in the back row of Kirkpatrick, Sutherland and Scown, who combined speed and power with “the sleight of hand of the French at their very best.” INSPIRING PLAY The “Sunday Express” described the New Zealanders’ forward play as frightening and inspiring, while the "Sunday Times” said Kirkpatrick “and his henchmen roamed the field like a herd of buffaloes mowing down everything that came in their way.” Vivian Jenkins also singled out Sutherland, Kirkpatrick and Scown, and said they were “devastating.” The man of the match according to the “Sunday People” was the line-out specialist, P. L. Whiting, Whom Bleddyn Williams said was going a long way towards replacing “the irreplaceable Colin Meads.”