“KIWIS WERE LUCKY”

Southland Times, Issue 25835, 21 November 1945, Page 5

“KIWIS WERE LUCKY”

Comment On Match With Leinster (Special Correspondent, N.Z.P.A.) LONDON, November 20. Commentators agree that the Kiwis were lucky to maintain their unbeaten record in the game against Leinster. The Times says: “The game was as open, hard-fought and exciting throughout as one could wish to see. The Leinster forwards, playing with much of the verve of an Irish international pack, caused a lot of trouble with their rushes and won the majority of scrums. The Leinster backs held their own well for speed and their tackling was quick and decisive. Only in their far greater skill and speed in handling the ball did the New Zealanders excel, but there was little variety in their play and they gave away far too many chances. The New Zealand forwards were poor in the tight and were allowed few opportunities to play an effective part in the attack. “C. K. Saxton’s passes had length and speed, but with J. B. Smith kept under control by Quinn, the New Zealand attacking movements, though spectacular, lacked thrust. The Leinster centres wasted many opportunities by over-in-dulgence in the short kick, but otherwise their backs played with refreshing and unexpected enterprise.” • The Daily Mail says: “The Kiwis were lucky to preserve their unbeaten record and were completely demoralized during the last 15 minutes, when Leinster did everything but get the winning score. The New Zealand backs were completely bustled by the close-lying Leinster outsides, who utilized the smother tackle to perfection.”