COMMENT ON KIWIS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 13, 16 January 1946, Page 3

COMMENT ON KIWIS

NOT UP TO ALL BLACK STAMP (P.A.) Dunedin, Jan. 14. “Just how good is the unbeaten ‘Kiwi’ Rugby team?” In the opinion of Mr. J. Hore, former Otago and All Black forward, who was associated with the team as selector and coach, it could not be classified as of true All Black stamp, though this assessment, Mr. Hore added, was only applicable up to the time of his departure from England in the first week of December.

Mr. Hore, who returned to this home in Dunedin on Saturday, said the side was delighting big crowds with clever and open Rugby. Its members were very effective ambassadors for the Dominion, both off and on the field. As a pack, the forwards were as good as any combination produced in this country before the war. The backs included some brilliant stylists. Mr. Hore selected as the best men in the side Smith, centre, and Finlay, forward. Smith had an uncanny sense in picking faults in the defence. The most improved forward was Woolley and others who stood out were Rhind and McPhail. Saxton was a masterly captain and very popular, both with the team and the crowds. Sherratt had not impressed Mr. Hore as a back of class when he was playing in Italy, but he developed as the tour progressed into a winger of international calibre. The real find was Cook, ranked by Mr. Hore with Dave Lindsay and George Nepia. An interesting sidelight on Cook was that he took size five in boots. Mr. Hore said the standard of refereeing in England was first-class and in direct contrast with the displays when he was there with the AU Blacks in 1935.