MORE PRAISE FOR KIWIS

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 269, 14 November 1945, Page 5

MORE PRAISE FOR KIWIS

Improved Scrummaging Commented On

(By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) LONDON, Nov. 12.

Improved scrummaging of the Kiwi touring Rugby team against Northern Services on Saturday is commented on by the Times which states: “It was a notable feature of the New Zealanders’ play. The forwards got most of the ball in the line-outs and as a whole New Zealand backs wero cleverer and faster than their opponents.” The Manchester Guardian says the I New Zealanders showed, especially in the first half, such technical accuracy in pass-timing, speed in the launching of attacks and backing up for the final thrust that, with their advantage in the combined methods, it was difficult to see what necessarily scratch bide in tho Homo Counies might beat them. Their solid scrummaging had been suspect and certainly there were times when the ball “hung” in the set scrums (or was, perhaps, inadvisedly held there) but against this they were expert at the quick heel from the loose maul, which is, in this age of winging forwards, a more promising cue for a passing attack. The Yorkshire Post said: “During their spell of glory the Kiwis played great football. Their forwards stormed into the battle and won possession everywhere. Edwards, at scrum half, provided swift and accurate service, and Smith, at centre, had only to be offered an inch to take a yard. Before this fury the Northern Services defence wavered, faltered and fell, yielding two decisive tries.”

The Daily Mail says: “Full of faults as well as of the virtues of extreme eagerness, the Kiwis were a shade too good and too fit for the highly accomplished Northern Services fifteen. The • Kiwis neglected to pass back from the line-outs, often tackled too high, kicked ahead too hard instead of controlling the dribble and sometimes passed blindly when no visible supporter was at hand. The Services, who fielded 11 Rugby League internationals, committed none of these errors except that of tackling too high, but, in spite of their less faulty play, they were well beaten by the sheer nerve, thrust and vigour of the Kiwis. When their remediable faults have been corrected, tho Kiwis will get twice the value from their strong and clever backs and their best is yet to come. ’ ’