HIGHLY RATED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 22 November 1928, Page 3

HIGHLY RATED

MAORI FULL-BACK

INGUSH CRITIC I'AVS THIKIVIIT, TO NEIMA

At the opening of the British llugby .season n well-known English writer on the game, ('. \V. Packard, ran a series of sketches in flic London "Spoiling Life" on those wlkviii he considered among the most famous players, lie includes iu this list George Nopia, the Maori player of Uawkc's Bay, who made a great reputation in Britain by his plav as full-back for the 1924 New Zealand team. Nepia's thrilling stunt of catapulting himself at the knees of forwards who had broken away in a dribbling rush was a source of endless admiration in Britain, when; pluck is rated above finesse in the Rugby field. When one recalls the deeds O'f the invincible All Blacks of 1924 (writes Mr Packard), a team that won every game they played, including all their international encounters, there are several members of that famous combination whom we shall never forget. . The two Brownlios—Chris and Maurice—Mark Nkmolls, and A. E, Cooke, were all great players and extremely popular. But, perhaps, of I hem all, George Nopia, the full-back, was (the one who made the deepest impression. Nepia, who was not twenty years of age when he reached the shore of England, was a magnificently-built athlete. Although lie is sft. 9in." in height, owing to the abnormal width of his chest and his sturdy limbs he appeared shorter than he actually was, but when that 13st of "dynamic" went into action every one opposed to him was fully aware of the fact.

Nepia, like other full-backs of distinction, such as Barry Curubcrlcge, of England, had little or'no idea of filling that position in his early days. He first came into prominence as a five-eighths with'his club, llawkes Bay, and it was really only during the trials, preliminary to the selection of tho team, that the New Zealand authorities, who were desperately in need of a reliable full back, made the discovery of a century. Not only were they convinced that in Nepia they had a man on whom I hey could thoroughly rely, but so impressed were they with his great strength that they paid him the rather dangerous compliment of leaving the position solely in lis hands.

They did not select a reserve, and as it happened, this was not necessary, for Nepia played in every game of the tour '.*— the only man on the side to do so. In his very first game at, Devonport it was apparent that he would be-- a, complete success in litis country, but well as lie played on that occasion, hi; improved out of all knowledge as the lour proceeded. BEST ON HEAVY GROUND 1 always thought that N'epia was at his best on a heavy ground, for no matter how holding were the conditions, how elusive was the ball, his handling and kicking, in such case, were beyond reproach. Nepia yras faster than he appeared to be, but. there were occasions when he was beaten for pace when the ground was favourable for the man of speed.

One of these was in the match with England, at Twickenham, an encounter that,' owing to him being rail-paced, would undoubtedly have resulted iu a victory for the Mother Country had it not been for sheer .misfortune.

During that unforgettable .period when England rallied so brilliantly as to hold out hopes of completely reducing a rather formidable adverse margin of points, J. C. Gibbs, the flying Harlequin, twice defeated Nepia for speed, punted over his head, left the New Zealander literally standing still, only to see the ball bounce yards in the wrong direction when all he would have had to do was to touch down.

HIS PART IN SUPERB RECORD

It is rarely, however, that be was so outwitted, and he had the satisfaction of knowing, at tho end of the tour, that his wonderful consistency, stamina and strength contributed ' as much as anything else to the superb record of the team.

•Nepia wus absolutely devoid of fear. How lie was not, injured time and again was miraculous, for he took every risk imaginable. He provided many a thrill. To see him facing a determined rush of English, Irish or Welsh forwards was unforgettable. For an appreciable moment he would stand with his hands on his thighs, as if weighing-tip the situation. Then there would lie the flash of a dark-clad figure, a daring dive among the (incoming forwards, the ball would be clutched fiercely, and Xepia would go crashing backwards through the heaviest and most powerful of packs. We may have seen more accomplished and artistic backs, but we have rarely seen one so completely regardless of personal danger, and vet so utterly dependable. lie gambled, but it was the gambling of one .who realised that only ihe most extreme of measures would save the situation, and he never faltered. TERRIBLE TACKLE Xepia was also lather a terrible fellow when it came to tackling. He may not have been a Gamlin, but the man around whom be threw his arms took no further part in the particular movement in which ho was engaged. Another valuable characteristic of this popular athlete was his ability to open out the game. He did not always kick for touch on fielding the bull; 'at the slightest opportunity he would run into such a position that lie was able to put bis colleagues into favourable possession. We have bad several redoubtable full-backs from the Dominions in the past, but there is not one who lias made a greater impression or who has been more supremely successful than Nepia.

The only regret we have in remembering bis audacity, courage and determination, is that we shall not see him again.