MAORI-FRENCH MATCH RECONSIDERED

Te Ao Hou, December 1961, Page 58

MAORI-FRENCH MATCH RECONSIDERED (Continued from page 39) with the appearance of Francois Moncla and Pat Walsh as they led their teams out onto the field. The teams were: French: J. Meynard, C. Lacaze, J. Bouquet, J. Pique, Andre Boniface, P. Albaladejo, P. Lacroix, M. Crauste, M. Celaya, F. Moncla (Captain), J. P. Saux, G. Bouguyon, A. Domenech, J. Landouar, P. Cazals. Maoris: M. Walters, R. Yates, P. T. Walsh (Captain), K. S. Ransley, E. J. Thompson, M. A. Herewini, P. Marshall, V. M. Yates, W. J. Nathan, M. Maniapoto, G. Koopu, R. Walker, H. Piaka, W. R. Wordley, J. Porima. Referee: Mr J. Phizacklea. The Maori team did their haka and in the minds of the many kaumatua present, this was the sign that they were to give of their best. In fact on looking back and comparing the vigorous haka with French teams' peculiar and gentle “ha ha” dance, one might be tempted to say that this in fact illustrated the general trend of the match to come. Albaladejo kicked off for the Frenchmen and so the match started. The first scrum went down on half way (the kick having gone into touch) and from it came the first sign that this was to be a vigorous match. From the start the Maori forwards exerted themselves, and it was obvious that they were to be the dominating influence on the match. The first scoring opportunity was to go to France when Meynard attempted a penalty from a fairly hard position. The kick missed and Walters returned with a long kick. The Frenchmen attacked time and again, and some astute kicking by Albaladejo and Boniface kept them in the Maori 25 for some time. However, the Maori forwards would drive from near their own goal line and only tenacious and desperate tackling by the Frenchmen kept them from scoring. Meynard, the French fullback, was a tremendous tower of strength for the French defence and his fielding and kicking of the ball especially was a feature of the match.