MAORI RUGBY TEAM

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 78, 2 April 1938, Page 4

MAORI RUGBY TEAM

THE TOUR OF FiJI GREAT WELCOME ASSURED KEEN MATCHES ANTICIPATED SUVA, March 17. The decision of the New Zealand Rugby Union to send a team of Maori I players to Fiji this winter has been! warmly received in Suva, where the prospects of the tour are already being discussed. It is generally agreed that the visit of the Maoris will attract considerable attention and will do much to popularise the game in the Islands. Already the Fijians have taker, keenly to Rugby football, and with their ready power of imitation have quickly picked up some of the liner points of the game. As played by them the game moves rapidly up and clown the field, and, both forwards and ! backs show considerable speed and en- j durance. Playing in bare feet they kick powerfully and accurately, place' or drop-kicking with bare toes appar- 1 ently placing them at no disadvantage. Probably where their play is mostly lacking is in versatility of attack, the Fijian player being rather prone to follow an orthodox style of play, tl/is being largely due to the fact that the European coaches have felt the necessity of giving them a good grounding in the fundamentals before proceeding to the finer points of the game. This feature of Fijian club footbar will probably be remedied in the Fijian! representative team which will no I doubt be coached by Mr. J. B. K. Tay-! lor, a former Wellington representa-' five of wide experience. The Maori players will be assured of a great welcome and the hospitality of Europeans and Fijians will be extended in the usual Island manner. There are a number of New Zealanders residing in Fiji who are looking forward with keen interest to the visit of the Maoris. It is anticipated that the matches will be keenly contested with the visitors holding the advantage that undoubtedly results from a better knowledge of tactics. In recent years Fijian representative teams have played matches with Tonga and have demonstrated their ability to adapt themselves to propel coaching. With their speed and fine physique, Rugby is a game at which the Fijians should excel.