THE MAORI TEAM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22192, 20 August 1935, Page 10

THE MAORI TEAM

RETURN TO DOMINION NOTABLE RUGBY TOUR , HIGH PRAISE FOR AUSTRALIA SCRUMMAGES AND TACKLING [by TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Monday The joint managers of the Maori Rugby football team, interviewed on their return to-day, had nothing but praise for the manner in which the team was treated on the tour, and for the fine spirit of comradeship in tho party itself. Good reports were also made of tho control of tho Rugby Union game in the States visited, and of the progress being registered, as well as of the standard of play. Notably was this the case in Victoria. Behind reports that the Maoris in their matches in tho early part of the tour were unable to gain possession of the ball in the scrummages, there is an interesting story, and this was told by Mr. W. Wallace, and supported by members of the team, chiefly concerned in the business of hooking the ball. It had been found that certain interpretations of the rules differed from those in New Zealand. The ball was put into the .scrum much faster than is the practice here. This was the initial surprise packet, but thero was another in tho fact that the opposing third foot was shot forward, so that tho ball would strike it and be deflected in a manner to give their opponents possession. At the same time, the Maoris' fourth foot was blocked. No Complaint to Make It was their interpretation over there, said Mr. Wallace, and the Maoris had no complaints* to make, but the position had to be met, and it was done by adopting the same procedure as that carried out by their opponents. The result was that the Maoris then began to get much more of tho ball. Another interesting change of tactics adopted by the Maoris during the tour was one which had given rise to a good deal of comment. After one or two matches, the critics observed that the Maoris were tackling their opponents round tho waist, instead of going low. It had been found, said Mr. Wallace, that in going low the players were getting cut and bruised, the grounds being so hard. "I have been there five times, and I have never known tho grounds to be so hard," said Mr. Wallace. To avoid having their hands and knees skinned, he oxplained, they were advised by him to take their men higher, and the plan worked out very successfully. Last Line of Defence It was the forwards who paved the way for the victories, said Mr. Wallace, and much was also due to Nepia's splendid play at fullback. It was this last line of defence, together _ with Harrison's inspired leadership in tho forwards, that helped very considerably to keep tho Maori team together. Smith, too, had played exceptionally well. Mataira was one of the most unfortunate members of the party,, as ho had had two attacks of influenza, hut he struck fine form in the last match of the tour.