Maori Rugby Tourists Beat New South Wales In Spectacular Game

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27093, 30 May 1949, Page 5

Maori Rugby Tourists Beat New South Wales In Spectacular Game

New Zealand Press Association —Copyright

Rec. 9.20 p.m. ' SYDNEY, May 29. In one of the most vigorous and spectacular Rugby Union matches ever seen on the Sydney Cricket Ground, the Maoris defeated a powerful New South Wales combination by 19 points to 14. The margin was actually greater than the scores would indicate, as the Maoris’ figure was made up of four tries, two conversions, and one penalty to the three penalties and one converted try scored by New South Wales.

The Maoris began shakily and within 12 minutes of the start of play were six points down as the result of infringements of the. off-side rule. Tflen the heavy, quick-breaking forwards began to turn the balance and to break up the famous back line which has made New South Wales easily the strongest State team in Australia.

The Maori pack, which averaged nearly 14J stone, won surprisingly few set scrums, but, led by Tori Reid and R. Hohaia, they more than held their own in the line-outs, and were devastating in the loose.

One of the greatest surprises of the match was the success or the Maoris in immobilising the Wallaby winger, C. Eastes, who is hailed by some sports writers in England and Australia as “ the best wing three-quarter in the world.” Due to the heady interception of his inside men by Beaziey and

Peter Smith, he saw little of the ball In the duel with the big, fast Maori winger, N. Cherrington, he usually came off second best, though his tackling kept Cherrington in check for some time.. A crowd estimated at over 25,000 saw the match, which was played in bright sunshine with a cold southerly blowing straight down the field. The Maoris drew applause when they gave a haka in front of the main stand and then repeated it to the vociferous crowd on “ the hill." The teams were:—

Maoris.—Full-back, Kenny" threequarters—Taylor. Delamere, E. Cherrington; ■ five-eighths, Beazley, P. Smith: half-back, Raureti- forwards— Blake, Stirling, Marriner, Reid, R. Hohaia, Matthews, Carrington. West. New South Wales.—Full-back, B. Piper; three-quarters (four) —J. Marshall, J. Blomley. T. Allan, C. Eastes; five-eighth, M. Tate; half-back, C. Burke; forwards—C. Windon, R. Cross. N. Green, N. Shehadie. R. Mossop J. Baxter, D. Furness. N. Adams.

Australian comment on the match ranges from frank admiration of the strength and determination of the Maori forwards to allegations that the Maoris played with unnecessary fierceness.

In the Sunday Telegraph the Rugby writer, Phil Tresidder, says: “The Maoris outplayed New South Wales in nearly every department of the game and are now strong favourites to win the three tests. ; Play often became heated, and in the gruelling second half punches were traded in many rucks that degenerated into open slug feasts. The Maoris demonstrated that they can compare favourably with any previous Maori side to tour Australia and quite a few All Black teams.” In the Sunday Telegraph, Ginty Lush says: “ New South Wales forwards, who claimed they were kicked all over the Sydney Cricket Ground by the Maoris, threatened to play them at their own game next Saturday in the first test.”