Maori Team’s Defeat

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 93, 11 July 1927, Page 10

Maori Team’s Defeat

WEAK SIDE OUTCLASSED Rugby in the Mud SPLASHING their way through pools of mud and water in a soaking rain which fell almost unceasingly, an outclassed Maori side had little opportunity of extending the Auckland Rugby representatives at Eden Park on Saturday afternoon. The home forwards dominated the situation from the outset, and had conditions permitted the co-opera-tion of their backs the score, 31-6, would no doubt have been further increased. As representative fare, it certainly did not reward a crowd of at least 4000 strong which so enthusiastically braved the elements. The ground conditions were the worst experienced this season, at half-time it being practically impossible to distinguish the colours of the muddrenched players on either side.

A BAD START

WHO IS TO BLAME? YI/ITH so many good native players * * at present available, the opening display by the New Zealand Maori side was distinctly disappointing. The fault, however, does not rest with the players, but upon those responsible for the tour. In addition to Turei, Ruru, Seymour, and Wanoa, who were called upon to help the visitors out, Paewai was also requisitioned, the 1924-25 All Black being also asked to lead the side. Falwasser, the Taranaki threequarter, was among the absentees, and his services were sadly missed. That over-coveted trophy, the Ranfurly Shield, also added its quota to Mr. Takarangi’s troubles. It caused the defection of two Maori cracks in W. Barclay and Sam Gemmell, both being requisitioned by Norrnan McKenzie for the Hawke’s Bay raiding party. MUD AND SLUSH Although it was probably considered that the diminutive sixth-graders who played a curtain-raiser could not seriously affect the state of the ground, yet it did not help it. When the players took the field for the big game the paddock was very soft, and before they left it for the half-time spell it was in a particularly bad state. To say that in places the players were ankle-deep in mud is certainly no exaggeration. Under the circumstances, the game was surprisingly fast. There were occasionel flashes by the Auckland backs, when the leather was freely handed around, despite the adverse conditions prevailing, but on the whole it was a forwards’ daj 7 . From the kick-off the home pack dominated the situation, and continued to do so throughout the game. Nevertheless, the visiting forwards put up a hard fight. Although outclassed both in combination and condition, they plugged away from whistle to whistle, their efforts being rewarded with a second try just after the final bell sounded. Batty was the star performer in the home pack. He had a hand in almost everything that was going. Keene, who held the roving commission, was also always in the picture.

Dribbling, nowadays, is almost a lest art, but on Saturday both these players used the sides of their boots to advantage. Righton was also well on the job, and with Knight and Hadley formed a very useful trio. BADELEY’S DAY Badeley’s performance was the best this season. Under conditions for which much could be excused, he handled beautifully, and his passes —which were sometimes spoilt through Berridge hanging on too long—were neatly despatched. Although a strong-running, and enterprising fiveeighths, the latter would do well to remember that in representative company medals are not handed out to inside backs who too often are tackled in possession. With a player of the stamp of Lucas further out, who can always be relied upon for the in-pass, the onus does not necessarily rest upon an inside man to beat his man before handing the ball on. In the open country it is easier done. On the spectacular side, Lucas as usual was the bright star. The stockyard conditions did not appear to trouble him unduly, and he picked his way through the slush with all the grace of a chorus lady. Lucas possesses a whole bagful of pretty tricks, and he possesses the knack of presenting them at appropriate moments. The cross-kick is one of them. Sheen was consistently useful, and at times penetrated dangerously close, while McManus, who bobbed up and down out of the mud to very good effect, appeared to thoroughly enjoy himself. McManus, in addition to being sound on defence, gets his line away promptly, and anywhere handy is always liable to notch one for himself. Hook, although somewhat dwarfed in comparison with the other Auckland winger, made few mistakes, and acquitted himself satisfactorily enough under the circumstances. In the Maori pack Rika, Rangi-ruru, and Soloman were perhaps the most outstanding among a very even lot. In the back division Paewai was the only back to show any outstanding form. Jones, at centre-three-quarter, occasionally shone, but with indifferent handling and lack of combination very little opportunity was provided for any display of form. At fullback, Turei was called upon to perform the brunt of the defensive work. Although being sometimes caught, his -mistakes were excusable, and he deserves credit for the manner in which he emerged from the difficult task more or less thrust upon him.