N.Z. con trick fails — papers

Press, 26 July 1976, Page 4

N.Z. con trick fails — papers

NZPA Durban “The Great All Black Con Trick Fails," Johannesburg’s “Sunday Express” headlined its front-page story on the first test.

I Rory Brown, the paper's rugby writer touring with the •All Blacks, said the Springboks deserved their victory because they made better use of the chances and possession that came their way. “But the All Blacks almost pulled off the gigantic tactical battle that raged before this match began. “Instead of running from every situation as the inclusion of Duncan Robertson at had su Kgested, the All Blacks decided to take on the Springboks in a forward confrontation and their tactics almost paid off. “In retrospect, the Al] Blacks paid the penalty for their tally. One feels that had! they run more often, particu-, larly in the first half when 'hev won a lot of clean ball trom the line-out and scrums.! they might have wrapped it I up by half-time,” Brown said In the same paper. Sam, Mirwis said only desperate; do-or-die efforts bv the springboks won the day. Barry Glasspool in the “Sunday Times” said the combination of desparate Springbok tackling and sloppy handling by the All Black backs won the game for' South Africa.

"The psychological mastery now lies with the South Africans after their first test win and it is the Kiwis who have most of the major probiems to solve between now and the second test at Bloemfontein on August 14,” Glasspool said. In the Durban "Sunday Tribune." Darrall Thomson said South Africa took a step an the road back to the top of international rugby with their win, but it was no leap forward and the series was certainly no foregone con-1 elusion. The Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) sent a cable of best wishes to the All Blacks for;

their test against the Spring boks at Durban on Saturday lhe Al) Black captain Andy Leslie read the cable t< guests at a function given by the Mayor of Durban aftet the match. “Very best wishes for today’s game — R. D. Mui doon,” the cable read. Congratulating the Springboks on their win, Leslie saic he was pleased with the way the All Blacks played. "They really applied themselves,” he said. “Mavbe the bounce of the ball eluded u« a little, but that’s rugby ano Im not complaining. I don’t want to take anything away from the ’Boks. Let’s give them full credit,” Leslie said The Springbok captain Morne du Plessis thanked Leslie and his team for the match “and the way vou played it.”