RUGBY

Otago Witness, Issue 3808, 8 March 1927, Page 33

RUGBY

THE MAORI TEAM. RETURN TO NEW ZEALAND. AUCKLAND, March 1. “We have learned nothing, but we have had a very pleasant tour,” said Mr H. Harris, one of the managers of the Maori Rugby team which returned to Auckland by the Tahiti this morning after an extensive tour which included matches in France, Britain, and Canada. Altogether, including the four games in Canada, 38 matches were played, 29 being won, seven lost, and two drawn.' Mr Harris said the trouble in England was that the players did not take Rugby football seriously. They did not train, and the result was that a high standard of combination was not reached. The Maori team did well from a playing viewpoint, although it was recognised that it would have been a greater combination had players of the calibre of Mill and Paewai been able to make the trip. Right through the tour there was a weakness near the base of'-the scrum, the necessary speed, thrust and initiative not being disclosed to launch attacks in the approved New Zeaalnd fashion. “Robinson,” declared Mr Harris emphatically, when asked who was the most improved player on the New Zealand side. He added that the burly 14-stone youth from Little River, who was originally chosen as a back, had developed into a champion forward, and should be a tower of strength to Canterbury football for years to come. Mr Harris added that nearly all the team had played up to form, i Phillips had served the team so well at full-back that Nepia could not have been an improvement. Proceeding, Mr Harris said that in English Rugby veterans like Voyce, Edwards, and Wakefield were still amongst the best players, although a new player named Sellars, a Navy man, had been discovered for full-back. Besson, Jarreguy, and de Manion were three French backs who would be worth a place in any team in the world. Mr Harris had a good deal to say about football in France, and he was not altogether hopeful about the future. “Their play is spectacular but unsound,” said Mr Harris, “and they do not understand the finer points of the play. The French spectators do not understand too much about it either, and they arc always ready to take to the unfortunate referee. The French standard of play is not up to the best international plane, and if they ever come to New Zealand our provincial sides should beat them. Right through the tour the refereeing was poor, offside play was allowed, and players were allowed to battle along after they were collared.”

Referring to the International Board, Mr Harris said that the feeling was growing that the dominions should have d'"ect representation, and, personally, he was hopeful that a British team would tour New Zealand during the next few seasons. At present the French feeling against the English Rugby Union was ' ’tter, an aftermath of the New Zealand tour of 1924, when the English body, after reaping a profit of £40,000, or thereabouts, demanded £2500, and eventually accepted £lBOO, for the two games in Paris, the Frcuch Rugby Federation in addition having to pay all the expenses of. the games. “A GREAT FUTURE.” WELLINGTON, March 1France has a great future as far as Rugby is concerned, said Mr L. S. Parata, one of the managers of the New Zealand Maori touring team, although now lacking the finer points of the game. As time went on these would tend to disappear. The French Government encouraged Rugby, particularly in the army and navy, and included it as part of the training. There were half a million Rugby players, and over 1500 clubs in France. The forward play in England and Wales was excellent and the Maoris could show them nothing in that respect. Their scrumming and line work was perfect, but our forwards were superior in the loose. The weakness of the English teams was in the back division, and throughout the tour a wing three-quarter had not scored from a passing rush. The standard of play in France was the same as in England, although better open play was seen in France.- JThe hospitality everywhere was wonderful. Everywhere the play was clean, this being very pronounced in England.