LEAGUE VISITORS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22805, 12 August 1937, Page 13

LEAGUE VISITORS

SURPRISE BY MAORIS SIXTEEN POINTS TO FIVE fine display by nepia penalties assist winners The Australian League football team, ■which is cn route to England, suffered a surprise defeat yesterday afternoon Carlaw Park by a New Zealand Jlnori side by 10 points to 5. The 3laoris scored two tries, ono converted, and four penalty goals to ono converted try.

Tho day was beautifully fine, tho ground was in fair condition, and thero was an attendance estimated at between 10,000 and 12,000. Undoubtedly the attraction was the first appearance of a Maori side under the League banner, while, thero was tho curiosity among tho public as to the capabilities of the former famous All Black fulllack,, George Nepia. Nepia's all-round display stamped Jiim as still being a fine fullback. In •the early stages of the gamo ho gave an exhibition of line-kicking tho equal of which has not been witnessed for some years. Later on Nepia showed inconsistency in his line-kicking, but, taken all round, it was an excellent dis;play. Added to his ability in this respect, Nepia proved himself a great defensive player, and not a single attacker was able to pass him during tho match. On one or two occasions lie was faced with a couple of opponents, and it was then he demonstrated that he still retained his ability to drive tho attack jn the direction in which he desired to make it ineffective. Hsmi's Injury The Maori team put up a highlycreditnblc performance. Hemi, playing at centrc-thrcequarter, was more or less a passenger throughout the match. He was limping from a leg injury when ho'.went on the field, and he was compelled to retire about midway through tho first spell. After receiving treatment during the interval he returned to the field, but he was still unable to run and took little part in the play. In addition to Hemi's indisposition jtlie Maoris were also unfortunate that J. Cootes, one of tho front row forwards, received a severe cut over the right eyebrow early in the second spell, and he had to retire, much against his .will, for medical attention. He came back later with his eyebrow thickly 'plastered, but was eventually persuaded l»y the referee to return to the dressing room. Under the circumstances the victory of the Maoris was distinctly creditable. Jheir fine tackling was ono of the deciding factors, both backs and forwards doing excellent work in this reEpect. The forwards deserve much praise for "their exhibition, especially when the pack was depleted. McLeod's hooking of the ball was first class, and |\Vatene,' Brodrtck Mitchell and the iCootes brothers all played solidly. Puzzled by Rulings

Apart from Nepia, the Maori backs lill did frell. Maliima and the two Chase •brothers combining nicely behind the fccrum, while Broughton and liata, 011 the wings, both handicapped by want of the ball, tackled and defended poundly. As for the Australians, it must be fctated in all fairness that it was not their first team. Some of the players had not had a game for four weeks, and since their arrival had been called ■upon to accept hospitality for two days at Rotorua' and again on Tuesday at Ngaruawahia. Tliey arrived back in Auckland yesterday morning, and, with their lack of training, they did as well as could be expected. The visitors were undoubtedly puzzled _ by the referee's interpretations of the miles, and, in fact, seemed bewildered by the number of penalties awarded against them. These were in a proportion of just on eight to one. Both English and Australian teams of late years have invariably been unable to understand the interpretations of New Zealand referees, more especially in regard to scrum breaches and plaving-the-ball rule. Poor Sportsmanship - ' The attendance was a record for a mid-week League match played in Auckland. The spectators obviously favoured the Maoris from the start, but this did not excuse the poor sportsmanship displayed by a section of the crowd which hooted the visitors when they scored their only try. The calls of "put him off" which followed the awarding of penalties for scrum and other infringements were also in bad taste. Early in the game Australia was penalised on-three occasions, but Hemi failed to open the score, although two of the shots were from easy positions. The home team rushed the ball over "the visitors' line and I?. Chase scored, Hemi converting. Maoris, 5; Australia, 0. After mis'sing a penalty shot Nepia was applauded for a smothering tackle of Dawson, and his fine line-kicking Gained 60 yards a few minutes later. The visitors were penalised for the eleventh time and Nepia kicked a goal. Maoris, 7; Australia, 0. Hemi retired and the Maori roar division lined up to attack with Watcne at five-eighths. The. Maoris continued to have the better of tho sjanie, and Mahima beat the defence badly, but Broughton was pulled tlown a yard from the goal. Thompson and McKinnon broke away. Nepia saving with a brilliant low tackle. The. Maoris had a good chance of scoring, but T. Chase knocked it on when his brother had a clear run in. Half-time came with the score:—Maoris, 7; Australia, 0. Further Penalties On resuming Hemi reappeared, but still limped badly The Maoris continued to play with great dash, and Watcne was pulled down a few yards from the visitors' goal. There wero several more penalties against tho visitors, and from a kick in front missed at goal. Then came tho finest try of the match, and the homo - team, passing brilliantly, changed direction twice and L. Cootcs sent a high pass to Urodrick, who raced over. «epia just missed with a great kick from tlie sideline. Maoris, 10; Australia. 0. J. Cootcs received a knock on the head and retired. "With the home team depleted, the visitors made the most of the position, and Curran scored, Jhomnson converting. Maoris, 10; Australia, 5. Jhe tackling now bccamo very solid the Maoris moro than held their own. The visitors were penalised five J'nrds from half-way and Nepia kicked a fine goal. Maoris, 12; Australia, 5. I'rom another penalty, 40 yards out, Jvepia kicked a crcat goal. Maoris, 14; Australia, 5. McLcod and Mitchell led the Maori forwards, who pressed 011 the visitors' hne. Once again Nepia's great kicking powers sent over a penalty from near the touehline. and the jrame ended: Maoris. 16: ,Australia, 5. Mr. P. Rogers was referee.