MAORIS BADLY TROUNCED

Taranaki Daily News, 9 December 1926, Page 6

MAORIS BADLY TROUNCED

DEVON’S SWEEPING VICTORY FIVE TRIES FOR THE COUNTY. (From Our Own Correspondent With The Team). Plymouth, Oct. 20. Devon County to-day’ inflicted on the New Zealand Maoris the biggest defeat that has ever been sustained by a Colonial side while touring in the United Kingdom or France. The county ran up a score of 20 points, consisting of five tries, cue converted, and a penalty goal, while the Maoris failed to open their scoring account. The match was played at the Rectory Field, Devonport, in glorious weather conditions, before about 15,000 spectators, who, of course, gave their side a rousing reception as they filed off the field. With Barclay, Bell, Mete, and others not available, the Maoris had to do some juggling to field a team. Potaka, who had a shoulder injured at Twickenham, played as full-back, Phillips filling his position at centre-threequarter. Robinton, who had not played since his injury at Narbonne over a month ago, went on the wing, while McDonald and Love, who had previously made only one appearance, namely against Littoral, filled the fiveeighths positions. In the early part of the game the Maoris had much the better of the play, and gave one the impression that 1 they would have no trouble in registering another victory. Devon opened very shakily, but improved greatly as the game progressed, and in the closing rtages played brilliant fotoball, and completely demoralised the New Zealanders. The game, as a whole, was very ragged, a g-eat deal of scrappy play being indulged

Potaka was apparently still troubled with his injury as he was inclined to be shaky at times, though on other occasions he played up to his best form. His power* ful kicking, was very valuable. Falwasser got few chances, but played well. One fine run might have resulted in a try had not Devon been fortunate in having a brilliant tackler guarding their line. Falwasser had only the full-back to beat, and endeavoured to swerve past, but Pritchard grassed him with a great tackle. Phillips played solidly at centre, and Robinson showed up on the wing ,at times. The backs did many things well as individuals, but had practically no understanding as a team. McDonald commenced very poorly, and was very slow, but later, when his side was loosing he showed up very well, and made some very fine runs. Kingi and Love shared the duties of half and first five-eighths between them. The forwards were completely beaten in the line-outs, Devon obtaining, possession coneistently. Both packs showed up in the loose play, and Devon had the better of th? scrummages. Tatana and Haupapa showed up very well, while S. Gemmell made some very determined dashes during the second spell. The Devon team contained some very fine players, but the one who impressed most was J. Hanley, a forward. This player was a tower of strength in the lineouts, getting the ball again and again, and also fed his backs many times from all positions. He scored two tries, and had a big hand in others. He plays the New Zealand type of forward game, using his hands rather than his feet, and working in with his backs well. A player of an entirely different type was Luddington, the Devon captain, who was a grafter in the tight, and did his own share and Hanley’s in that department. Pritchard played a fine game as last line of defence for Devon, although he opened very poorly. His fielding and tackling were very good. Others who played well were Davies, Jones, Cook and Richards. The referee was Mr. W. H. Jackson, of CamUourne, who refereed in the Maoris Somerset match. He carried out his task in a thoroughly efficient manner. The word “Maoris” has many pronunciations over here. The most common are "May-oh-rees” and “May-or-rees.” In France the word becomes “Mah-reeh.”

SWANSEA BEATEN BY FIVE POINTS London, Dee. 28. The Maoris added another victory to their list of successes, beating Swansea at St. Helen’s Ground, Swansea, by 11 points to 6. Although the day was ideal for bright, open football, the game was of a very drab nature, both sides being tv blame. Both the Maori tries were bright spots in the game, however, and good examples of the ability of the New Zealanders to take quick advantage of opportunities. The day was gloriously fine, with little wind, while there was a distinct sharpness in the air. The attendance was about 22,003. The early stages of : the game were in favour of the tourists, Swansea being kept on the defensive for almost 30 minutes. The local forwards then showed up to advantage, and for the remainder of the match the play was fairly even. The passing, of both teams left much to be desired, that of the. Swansea men being very slovenly. There was also too much speculating by both teams. The tackling., of the Maoris has improved, and they had much more to do in that direction in this match, the new Welsh offside rule making the half-back’s job much easier. The new rule was hardly noticeable at Newport, but at Swanseg the referee was very careful to use it to the full, and penalised Gemrnel at every opportunity. Pelham played a very fine game at full-back, and is improving with every match. Tn his earlier games in this .position he was content to remain in his place and play the orthodox game, but he is now varying his tactics, running his three-quarters into position occasionally. His try was well deserved, and he was warmly applauded by the spectators for this fine individual effort. Falwasser played a solid game, but was given little” room to move, being well marked by his opponents. Phillips played another good game. One very fine run he made might have resulted in a try had he been better supported. Po. taka, Bell and Mete all showed up on occasions, but there was little sign of combination, except in the movement which led to the first try. Kingi had the misfortune to break two teeth in the game at Newport, but after having them attended to, was quite fit for this mateh. Barclay was unable to turn out owing to an injury to his ribs on Thursday. The forwards easily held their own in the loose, but were not so successful in scrummaging as the Swansea vanguard. The referee, Mr. T. D. James, of Treherbert, paid so much attention to the doings of S. Gemmell, the Maori wing-, forward, that the Welsh players could do whatever they wished. The Swansea half-back was offside on almost every occasion he put the ball into the scrum, and his manner of throwing the ball into the scrum wais also foul. He was, however, penalised

once or twice for this. It was indeed a game of free kicks, and I cannot recall another game in which there have been so many stoppages for this pur. pose. Swansea’s best man behind the scrum was, without doubt, J. E. Watkins. He is a solid, all-round player, and was a tower of strength to his side. Walters and Barter also played very well, while the scrum half, Matth. 5, showed himself to be a nippy player. His passing from the scrum was very wild, however. Sometimes a hard pass would go high over Trew’s head, and at other times a slow lobbed pass would arrive at its destination about the same time as one of the fast Maori backs Jenkins, Faull and Parker were the best of the Swansea forwards. The Maori!, as usual, gave their haka, the spectators being greatly amused at the attention paid to the leader, Haupapa, by a small dog. Prior to their departure for Swansea, the Maoris were presented to the Duke of York on Newport Station. The Duke, who was proceeding to Cardiff to receive the presentation of the honorary freedom of the city, shook hands with each member of the party, and also spoke a few words to Captain Barclay, and had a short conversation with the manager, Mr. W. T. Parata. The Duke left the train at Cardiff, and as he left the station the Maoris gave one of their war cries. The newspapers here are criticising the Maoris rather severely. Such remarks as “not what we expect from great players,” “they are showing us nothing new,” and "not to be compared with the All Blacks of 1924,” are hardly fair to the Maoris. They do not pretend to be. and do not wish to be, regarded as a New Zealand international side.

DEFEAT OF THE MAORIS. THE GAME AT HOME. IFrom Our Own Correspondent.) London, Oct. 14. Without creating any marked impression. the Maori Rugby players won all their matches in France until the last. Last week-end they were beaten by a Paris team. In this game the tourists gave their worst display, and it was evident that they were much below form. Whilst they have enjoyed their stay in France, the New Zealanders have not had good health, most of the men having lost considerably in weight, and they attributed their defeat in Paris to staleness. The chief trouble lias been to get the right sort of food. Coffee and a roll is not the breakfast that these giants are accustomed to, and. instead of all the fancy dishes that were presented to them, they would have preferred a substantial cut of beef or a steak. So they were not sorry to say good-bye to France this week, and come to London, where during the past few days they have been practising for their tour which opens this week-end against Somerset. FYench critics say that the English elubs will beat the Maoris owing to their lack of soundness. They- are too venturesome in attack, they declare, and, as a result, fatal faults develop in the defence. But. even though they are not so formidable a team as the All Blaeks of a year ago, they are a fascinating side, if only because of the admirable spirit in which they play the game. Their object is not merely to go back home unbeaten, unless they can achieve this distinction bv merit.

WALES AND THE NEW SCRUM LAW. Happily, as already announced, the Maoris have withdrawn their objection to playing matches in Wales under tne new scrummage law, which lays it down that a member of the opposition shall not advance beyond the front row of the scrummage before the ball is out at the other side. But the introduction of this change, which, of course, only applies to matches in Wales, is apparently to cause a good deal of trouble. For example, when the New South Wales team pay their visit next year, nil their matches will be decided under the rules of the International Board. This has already been settled, so that, if Wales went to meet the tourists, they will have to scrap one of their own rules. They will, of course, be able to ayoid this if in the meantime tliyy can convert the International Board to their view that the scrummage law needs to be changed, but though they might possibly succeed in the case of the English authorities., it is known that both .Scotland and Ireland will not tolerate any tinkering with the game. It is evident, too, so far as this season is concerned, that there may be trouble. When the new rule was adopted it was understood that English visiting teams would not be expected to play under it. Wales, however, insist that it should be observed, and it is reported that one of the leading London clubs have declined to do so, and that there is a prospect of others following their example. It would be a calamity if all fixtures between the clubs of the two countries were cancelled, and it is not likely to come to that, but it is obvious that English players will be greatly handicapped, as the New Zealanders will lie, by being compelled to play under a rule of which they know nothing.