Deem Win For Maori Rugby Team

Northern Advocate, 26 September 1946, Page 9

Deem Win For Maori Rugby Team

(Special) HAMILTON, This Day. The New Zealand Maori team defeated the Australian XV by 20 points to o yesterday. At half time the Maoris led by 6 points to 0. Thei’e was a strong northerly wind. Tries were scored by P. Smith (2). M. N. Paewai, J. Marriner and J. Gardiner. J. Isaacs kicked a penalty goal and converted one try. The ground was on the heavy side. The Australians were outplayed in all departments except in the scrums which were 32—14 in their favour. The Australians showed a disappointing lapse in form. Their forward play was disappointing but that of the backs as a combined force was far worse. The inside combination between B. Schulte, half, D. Bannon. first fiveeighths. and A. P. Johnson, second, was never a happy one. At times bad passes were delivered and the handling was poor. If the Maoris had not made mistakes themselves the score in their favour would have been even larger. The best Australian back was B. Piper, the fullback. He handled and kicked delightfully. P. Smith, centre-threcquarters in the Maori side played well. His first try came from a good combined blind side movement.

I. Proctor gave a good all-round exhibition. J. Gardiner at first fiveeighths was one of the outstanding Maori backs. Paewai played better than he did in Wellington. In the forwards Isaacs was always in the forefront. Others to shine were J. Marriner and R. Bryers.