BATTY NOW ONLY ONE ABLE TO EMULATE NEPIA

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33069, 9 November 1972, Page 26

BATTY NOW ONLY ONE ABLE TO EMULATE NEPIA

(Special Crspdt. N.Z.P.A.I CAMBRIDGE. The legendary fullback, George Nepia, set a record in playing all 30 matches of the All Black tour of Britain in 192425. Now, only the litle Wellington wing, Grant Batty, of the present New Zealand side, has a chance of emulating Nepia’s feat. Batty played his fourth full tour game against Cambridge University and also replaced G. R. Skudder in Vancouver and B. G. Williams in Llanelli, to give him a 100 per cent appearance record so far. Batty has made the most of

his chances and at present must be favoured to share the test wing positions with the powerful Williams. Batty is only sft sin and lOst 71b, but statistics tend to lie in his case. Brilliant footwork, startling acceleration and a fearless approach to tasks, have made him one of the successes of the tour. He has not flinched from tackling the big forwards, and his ability to initiate attacks from loose kicks has been worth much to New Zealand. A try scored against Cardiff was worth its price of admission alone. Odds seemed too great, but the auburnhaired wing went hard for the comer and made the line with six inches to spare, as a result of an enormous dive.