Speed of Prince Obolensky

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 5, 7 January 1936, Page 7

Speed of Prince Obolensky

Comments on Rugby Test

STIMULUS FROM TOUR

United Press Association—By Electric Telesraph.—Copyright.

LONDON, Jan. 5,

Commenting on tho Rugby football Test match at Twickenham on Saturday, in which England beat New Zealand by 13 points to nil, Howard Marshall, in the Daily Telegraph, says: “New Zealand must have been painfully surprised by the brilliance of Obolensky’s running, though they had encountered him on a ivct day at Oxford. I shall never forget how Gilbert raised his hand helplessly with a look of almost comic resignation as Obolensky raced round him to score his first try. “This has been a rich season and we must be grateful to tho New Zealanders for the stimulus they have given our game. They ran up against an English side at the top of its form — that’s all.” Tho Ncws-Chroniclo says: “All things must come to an end, even the superiority of Nciv Zealanders at Rugby. They have suffered the heaviest defeat any New Zealand side has ever experienced in these islands. In all the finer arts of Rugby, save only quick heeling from the scrummages, England surpassed their rivals, whose attempts to batter through tho middle of the English defence were frustrated. They seemed to have no alternative method of attack. They had nobody to match the speed of Obolensky or tho skill of Gadncy and Cranmer. Their backs had been badly over-rated.” England’s Win CONGRATULATIONS FROM N.Z. UNION. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Jan. G. The New Zealand Rugby Union has cabled the Rugby Union in England as follows:—New Zealand Union extends hearty congratulations in your victory in the final test. Prince Obolensky Congratulated WILL FLAY AGAIN IF SELECTED. LONDON, January 5. “it is difficult for mo to believe I am anything but an Englishman. As one I simply fid my best at Twickenham. 1 will play again for England if selected,” says Prince Obolensky, who expects shortly to receive his naturalisation .papers. He is the son of a former oflicer in the Tsar s imperial Horse Guards. Ho will return to Oxford next term and will continue to play there, where he is tho first Russian to win a Rugby blue. None of tho congratulations were more appreciated than those of tho All Blacks.

The Tour Reviewed COMMENTS BY SELECTOR. GEEYMOUTH, Jam 6. Mr Alau Adams, one of tho selectors, interviewed by the Grcyniouth Star, expressed the opinion that the All Blacks tour was most successful. Tho team was unfortunate in the matter of injuries and sickness, and strain was placed upon the players by the number of Thursday and Saturday fixtures arranged. Discussing the win by Wales, Mr Adams said that in 1905 New Zealand was beaten by Wales, which was then at the peak in Rugby football, and the 1921 team with its unbeaten record were fortunate to find Welsh football at probably its weakest period since the war. Last season the Homo critics were agreed that Wales was last approaching its pre-war standard, so that the performance of the 1935 team was splendid against a country which had previously scored wins against the 1905 New Zealand team and the 190 S Australian team, and had only lost by a penalty goal to the 1912 South African team. England’s Win. “Although the record of twentyseven games played, with the constant travelling and the necessity of keeping in regular training, is n big stiain on tho players with the likelihood of stalencss developing, nothing can detract from the splendid victory gained by tho English side over our boys,” contiuued Mr Adams. “It is obvious that the visit from New Zealand and the visits by the South African and Australian teams have developed the tactical play of the Home countries, who always had individual talent and, except Wales, were generally content to rely on it rather than on combined effort. Successive tours to the Old Country have shown us that they have players of a ealibro equal to our own and the lessons learnt from touring sides have been taken to heart, and now England, Ireland and Scotland are able to place in the field teams capable of measuring up to the best Dominion standards, all of which is for the good of the game. I have always been of the opinion that Wales, despite a few lean seasons, has always been in the front rank in international Eugliy. “I am sure that tho 1935 New Zealand team has proved a most popular body of men on and off the field and have been worthy representatives in every Tespect of all that is best in New Zealand sport. They kavo been very fortunate in having at their head Mr Meredith, who has had a most difficult task through the injuries and the illness of many of his team. When the record of the tour is written I am sure we -will find that no touring team from New Zealand has ever had as the manager one more capable of looking after the interests of a team and of upholding in every way Ms position as the representative of New Zealand's national game. “One Jarring Note.” “One jarring note in connection with tho tour has come from within New Zealand where some rushed

early into print and at the commencement of the tour were determined to see no good in the team or its manager and were obsessed with the idea that the only footballers produced in New Zealand were of their time, and that, incidentally, they themselves had ‘•ot up an unapproachable standard. They adopted a most ungenerous attitude towards the touring side. The 111115 team can rest satisfied that while they by their sportsmanlike conduct both on and off the field have built up a wonderful reputation for themselves and New Zealand Rugby, the reputations of these vindictive writers have dropped considerably in the minds of all New Zealanders loving fair play.” M.C.C. Pleased at England’s Win Per Press Association. IN VEEC ARGILL, Last Night. “We are naturally pleased at England's win in the Kugby Test on Saturday, though it was rather a surprise to me personally,'' said Holmes, the captain of the M.C.C. cricket team, this evening. Speaking of Obolensky's scoring, Holmes said that the Russian prince had jumped into prominence all of a sudden, as it was his first big game apart from 'varsity games and matches where he represented Oxford. The M.C.C. team had a high opinion of Obolensky's ability and his success in the match was not altogether a surprise to them. A few of the Englishmen were among the listeners in the small hours of Sunday.