HANDLING WAS CHIEF FAULT OF TOURING BACKS

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 September 1947, Page 9

HANDLING WAS CHIEF FAULT OF TOURING BACKS

About the only fault which could be found with the backs of the 'West Coast touring team in the North Island was the handling of a few members of the side. The first team (that ■which played in Auckland) handled well, but the others did not inspire confidence.

This was particularly noticeable at New’ Plymouth, where J. Gibson and R, Forrest consistently failed to hold the tricky ball, giving the Taranaki forwards a chance to break through. Gibson redeemed himself somewhat at Wellington, where he gave a good sound display, but Forrest’s handling was again shaky.

Improvement Needed Forrest has the pace and the build to make him a first-class back, but he will not reach the best class until his handling improves. The same applies to A. O’Donnell, who handled well at Wanganui to score three tries, but then fell below standard at Wellington.

As a whole, the three-quarter line was the weakest back division on the tour, and it was unfortunate that L. Dunn was put out early through injury. With few opportunities, he was one of the outstanding backs on Carlaw Park and impressed Auckland critics as a winger likely to reach the best class. W. Mountford was always solid, without being brilliant, and West Coast could have well done with him in Wellington. A. Gibson went well in Auckland, his tackling being one of the features of the game, but in other matches he did not reach his club form.

Good Five-eighths It was in the five-eighth line that the attacking strength of the team lay. J. Pascoe fully redeemed the promise he showed earlier in the season and there is every indication that he will develop into one of the best inside men the West Coast has had for many years. The manner in which he varied his play was a revelation to the Aucklanders but like other members of the team he suffered from the hard ground at Huntly (an ankle injury) and he was below his best for the remainder of the tour. Club Combination

Lightly built J. Curnow also played sound games and stood up to the hard tour remarkably well. He lacked Pascoe’s versatility in a tight corner, but in other respects was not far below his club team mate. The value of having team mates as five-eighths in a representative side was fully demonstrated in the first game. As halfhack at Wanganui, Curnow gave the backs splendid service and was largely responsible for their bright, display. As half-back for four matches, Mick Ord had a hard tour but he came through with credit. He appeared to commit a tactical error with his kicking at New Plymouth but his passes from the scrum and his defensive play were always of a high class.

Full-back Play With the exception of the match at 'Wellington, when Soster had a complete lapse from form, both full-backs gave good service. At Huntly, Soster was nothing short of brilliant. The “baby” of the team, A. Hines also did well in his first two representative games and the experience he has gained should make him a valuable man next season. His positional play was not the best, but his handling and kicking was well up to the standard of Soster. It is interesting to note that the team did not encounter a poor full-back on the whole tour. In every game the opposing full-back was one of the stars of the match, with J. Hemi (Wellington) outstanding.