MAORI TEAM

Southland Times, Issue 25367, 20 August 1935, Page 8

MAORI TEAM

RETURN TO DOMINION DEFENCE OF HIGH TACKLING SUCCESSFUL TOUR (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, August 19 The Maori Rugby team returned to-day. The joint manager, Mr W. J. Wallace, said the team had been fnoulded into a fine combination after recovering from influenza and the cuts and bruises caused by the hard grounds. The Australian opinion was that the forwards were better than those of last year’s New Zealand team. The team had evolved a method of high tackling which had proved very successful. The joint managers had nothing but praise for the manner in which the team was treated on tour and for the fine spirit of comradeship in the party itself. Good reports, too, were made of the control of the Rugby Union game in the States visited and of the progress being made as well as of the standard of play. Not-bly was this the case in Victoria.

Behind reports that the Maoris in their matches in the early part of the torn' were unable to gain possession of the ball in scrummages there is an interesting story, and this was told by Mr Wallace and supported by the members of the team chiefly concerned in the business of hooking the ball. It had been found that certain interpretations of the rules differed .rom 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 there was another in the fact that the opposing third foot was shot forward so that the ball would strike it and be deflected in such a manner as to give the opponents possession. At the same time the visitors’ fo irth foot was blocked. “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 the ball.” Another interesting change of tactics adopted by the Maoris during their tour was one which had g’ven rise to a good deal of comment. After one or two matches the critics observed that the Maoris were tackling their opponents around the waist or thereabouts instead of going low. It had been found, said Mr Wallace, that in going low the members were getting cut and bruised, the grounds being so hard. “I have been there five times anc. I have never known the grounds to be so hard,” said Mr Wallace. To avoid having their hands and kn"?s skinned, he explained, they were advised by him to take their man higher, and the plan worked out very successfully. It was the forwards who paved the way for the victories, Mr Wallace explained, and much was also du? to Nepia’s splendid play at full-back. It was this last line of defence, _ ..long with Harrison’s inspired leaders.iip in the forwards, that helped very considerably to keep the Maori team together. Smith, too, had played exceptionally well. Ma f aira was one of the most unfortunate members of the party as he had had two attacks of influenza, but he struck fine form in the last match of the tour.