‘Finest rugby team ever’
NZPA London The British Lions to tour New Zealand in three years time should be the finest rugby team ever, the veteran journalist, Terry O’Connor, predicted in the “Daily Mail” yesterday. ••, “This; might appear a strange prediction after the 3-1 defeat 'inflicted by the Springboks,” he wrote, “but it is; a view shared by Dr Danie Craven and JeanPierre Rives.” .
Both. the/president of the South African Rugby Board
and the French captain told O’Connor that only the unprecedented injury list prevented the Lions beating the Springboks. ■ . , - “At the same time, the defeat might prove a blessing as th 6. tour illustrated how back play in this country has declined,” he saici. "Our coaches should throw away their present’ manuals and realise that it is better to encourage: backs to do their Own-thing. Technically," our forwards are .superior to both the Springboks and the All Blacks,” O’Connor wrote.
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Press, 17 July 1980, Page 26
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151‘Finest rugby team ever’ Press, 17 July 1980, Page 26
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