SCOTLAND’S GREAT DAY AT MURRAYFIELD

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21925, 21 January 1946, Page 2

SCOTLAND’S GREAT DAY AT MURRAYFIELD

WHEN the Kiwi Rugby football team made its early appearances against club and provincial sides in the United Kingdom, critics of the game gave them a poor chance of coming through their tour undefeated. In fact, it was regarded as fairly certain that several of the major matches would go against them. The Kiwis confounded the experts by winning all their principal matches, and in play against Wales and the Combined Services, m particular, covered themselves with credit. Those who had treated them coolly in the earlier stages of their tour had just completed the process of re-oricntatiom and were confidently predicting a flourishing finish for the Kiwis itinerary, when Scotland took the wind out of everyone s sails wi i a gallantly-won victory at Miirrayfield, Edinburgh, on Saturday. It has always been Scotland’s way to down the Sassenach by unexpected strokes, and this was a masterpiece. All the mightoi the Kiwi team was unavailing against the inspired efforts ot the Scottish forwards, who despite their failure to get the hall m set scrums constantly took it from New Zealand’s possession after it reached the open field. The home team dominated the loose play and as so often happens under such circumstances., the Iviwi machine, geared for highly-developed combined play, simply did not get going in its accustomed victory roll. What the Scottish success proves, among other things, is that, the best of touring sides must face and stave, off defeat each, time it takes the field, and that the most finely-adjusted machine is not proof against the kind of opposition offered by the Sco land earn It also svmmsts that youth and determination are still the essential ingredienfiTof succor in games of international!™ . I'h. Seofe found the Kiwis with the keen edge of their form blunted, and Ihc made the most of their opportunity. It was a great cay c causes of New Zealand’s defeat in this International The individual performances of players in the Kiwi side will be amassed, and weaknesses sought. But it will all be wasted time and c'foit. The -plain fact is that New Zealand was beaten at Mmi a> field by a Sam whidT found the right tactics and exp cited pace and condition to the final degree. All the 4” v ™ more ice than the comment of a Gisborne Rugby en busiast wno followed the broadcast description of the mateh with the attention “The Kiwis lacked punch, be said. incy snoim have played ‘Killer’ McCarthy!”