ONE-SIDED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18009, 20 November 1926, Page 9

ONE-SIDED.

NOTHING BUT BLACK

Imagine a game of draughts on a green ground, with black pawns which hurl themselves upon the goaL The white pawns are scattered or pushed aside; there is nothing but black—blacks always in movement. That is what 8000 people of Marseilles witnessed in the heat of Huveane, close by the Prado and Borelly Park, when the Maoris beat the Olympic Rugby team. In vain the crowd roared " Come on, Olympics!” Their voices found no response on the burnt-up field. The Maoris had reached this pretty corner of the Marseilles suburb, their hearts swelling high with hope and fear (says a French writer). For two months they have dreamed of this debut, and like all shy artistes, they suffered stagefright. Barclay owned to me that evening that they had been apprehensive at the outset, fearing they had over-trained. Yes, even Barclay himself, their finest forward, was in the same plight as the rest. At all costs this nervousness had to be overcome and so it was after ten minutes of play! The weight of apprehension lifted from the attacking Maori, and near us, the trainers, Piataka and Harris, heaved sighs of relief. With what : v.;ft: esr, they rushed and pushed, and iWovcd up the attack, then doubled and scored a try. Their game knows no hesitation, no slackening of speed, “ Swiftness and strength” seems to be their motto. No subtle combination, they have not yet had an opportunity to display such to us, but keenness, rapidity, fine following up, a furious onset which never fails to break through.