MEULI THE HERO

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 122, 26 May 1938, Page 8

MEULI THE HERO

HOME BACKS UNCERTAIN SI'LLB AN FAILS OX DEFENCE Though he played disappointingly earlier Meuli, who joined the Okaiawa Club last year from the Wanganui Collegiate School, was lhe hero of lhe day, his two goals saving Taranaki. Partly because of the high wmu, play was rather disappointing. The Wellington forwards and the Taranaki backs were not equal to expectations. The Jink between the liveeighths and Sullivan, at centre, was not satisfactory in the Taranaki backs and Sullivan was not nearly as prominent as usual. All the Taranaki backs were at fault in tackling, Sullivan letting Fulton away more than once. Taranaki's new full-back, J. Simpson, however, played an excellent game, particularly in line-kicking of great length and accuracy, and in tackling. The Wellington rearguard strength lay in the experience of Griffiths and Tindill and Sargisson’s mastery of Brown. Taranaki’s pack was up to standard. The Wellington forwards were not as fast as usual. Guy and Gunn were the best, with Pringle am Bishop also good. The forwards, however, too frequently infringed the rules and the pack was outplayed by Taranaki excepting in hooking. Of 56 matches played, Wellington has won 36, Taranaki 18, one was drawn and another abandoned at half-time. Wanganui Rugby followers wdil recollect Meuli's form in the Collegiate School live-eighth line during lhe two seasons. It is a big jump from a school fifteen to a match of the standard expected when two representative teams like Taranaki and Wellington meet. The wisdom of lifting boys suddenly into interprovincial Rugby from the schools without a thorough grounding in the clubs has often been criticised. It is pleasing 1o note that .1. L. Griffiths is still playing well. He is a player who was well and truly overlooked last year.—" Cross-bar.”