Tributes flow
From I
DON CAMERON
“Men against boys,” said Bill Dickison, the former Scotland coach.
“Oh dear, here we go again,” said Jim Telfer, the former British Lions coach, who will prepare Scotland against the All Blacks on November 12. “I seemed to have had All Black forwards running at me for six months,” said Roy Laidlaw, the Lions halfback and South of Scotland’s half back and captain. “They play rugby 100 miles an hour faster than we do,” said John Gray, the Borders coach.
These tributes rolled about the All Blacks after the brilliant second-half burst which completed their 30-9 win over South of Scotland.
“That’s their Kiwi breeding, They play up front with a different direction than we do — aggressive and with pace,” said Mr Gray.
“Their forwards with a slight obstructiveness which I’m not complaining about, might even be within the law — big men playing with
power and pace. “All this talk about the All Blacks having rubbish up front is nonsense. No New Zealand team ever has rubbish up front, he said. “I thought we had a good chance after playing into the wind in the first half,” said Laidlaw. “However, they had already scored two tries — they seem to score tries out of very little. “The All Black pack the Lions played against in New Zealand were probably better in set play, but there is a lot of pace in the pack the All Blacks have brought here,” he said.
“They are certainly quick to the loose ball. But I don’t think they will be as strong in set pieces when it comes to the internationals.”
A smiling All Black coach Bryce Rope, said the win, and the ability of the All Black backs and forwards to “give it a go,” was a pleasing advance in his team building plan.
“The talent is developing and I believe that we could get to the position that when the test team is picked there will be eleven very disappointed players and a selector very disappointed at having to leave players out,” he said. “We are developing a very even quality and that is very pleasant.”
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Press, 31 October 1983, Page 48
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359Tributes flow Press, 31 October 1983, Page 48
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