Just rough and tumble

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33064, 3 November 1972, Page 20

Just rough and tumble

(Special Crspdt. N.Z.P.A.)

CARDIFF.

Allegations that the All Blacks played overvigorously against Llanelli on Tuesday, and took defeat badly, were denied by the New Zealand manager, Mr E. L. Todd, yesterday.

"Incidents on the field often appear to be far more damaging than in actual fact,” Mr Todd said.

“I did not think the game at Stradey Park could be labelled rough. It was all part of the good old rough and tumble of Rugby. NO BAD INJURIES

“I am sure that in years to come, players on both sides will look back on the game and agree that it was a fantastic match,” he said.

“Some spectators might get upset, but I feel sure the incidents were not as bad as they seemed. I have not heard of anyone in the game being really hurt.” Mr Todd said it was not true that the All Blacks were bitter in defeat.

“The boys soon had the guitar out when back at the hotel and sang lustily. They certainly did not brood over their defeat,” Mr Todd said.

The All Black captain, I. A. Kirkpatrick, agreed with the manager. “We accepted defeat like sportsmen,” he said. “The boys were not downcast because we have lost one. The Llanelli defeat has given them a greater realisation of what we are up against. “The side is in pretty good spirits, and we are determined to do well against Cardiff on Saturday.” SPECTATOR VIOLENCE The atmosphere at Stradey Park was certainly intense. The All Black flanker, A. I. Scown, was kicked three times in the leg by fanatical spectators as he left the field, and the full-back, J. F. Karam, was sworn at by the Llanelli hooker, R. Thomas. Many in the crowd of 23,000 were carried away by the win, and celebrations went far into the night with much drinking and singing of Welsh songs. But the excitement over Llanelli’s win did not excuse the callous kicking of Scown, one of the fairest of players. The attitude of Thomas was perhaps understandable for the home team players were in a highly emotional state. Karam bent over the injured hooker and offered assistance but received only profanity in return.