Sport

The Maori Rugby Forward EXCITING FUTURE FOR YOUNG PLAYERS by I. P. Puketapu Most rugby followers will agree that the New Zealand Maori team's success over France at Napier last year was the best thing that has happened for some time. What is important to Maori rugby is the way in which the Maori team approached the game. Power forward play supported by solidarity in the backs was the keynote to success. There was no ‘hairy-fairy’ back and forward play verging on basketball, but instead there was constructive intelligent thinking by players who were prepared to concentrate on fundamentals. The result was a utilization of the old rugby theme of position, pass, and pace but with another added ‘P’ ingredient, namely ‘power’: power in the form of eight continuous driving specialist forwards. The Maori traditional spirit of response to new adventure and new challenges was not subdued by the new brand of rugby. The spirit to ‘have a go’ and to play as a team was ever present. The Maori team left the international field with a reputation not of possessing brilliant backs but of having exhibited powerful intelligent forward play. In support of this spearhead the backs had successfully concentrated on sound rugby and, for the record, tackled to a man. New Types One must eventually turn to the individual player for any final assessment of this favourable trend. The young Maori rugby player is no longer identifying himself so completely with famous backs such as Johnny Smith, Dr Paewai, Bill Gray, Tom Katene, or George Nepia. He now appears keen to repeat and excel the accomplishments of the ‘new types’, particularly forwards like Yates, Nathan, Maniapoto and Pryor. This is not only because these ‘new types’ are contemporary players, but also because Maori players as forwards are making their presence felt in the rugby world more frequently and in greater numbers. There have always been good Maori forwards but never enough of them, and especially not of the specialists. But today Maori forwards must be considered more seriously by club, provincial and international selectors. Loose Forwards In particular, the Maori loose forward is becoming more prominent. It is often said that the game is changing to suit loose forward play. The loose forward is no longer considered by the rugby public as a ‘seagull’ or ‘shiner’; in the role of a hard tackler, barger, destroyer, as an extra back, and as a scorer of tries, the loose forward is now the glamour player of New Zealand rugby. This fact promises an exciting future to the young Maori rugby enthusiast who decides to become a loose forward. Natural Attributes Maori players have natural gifts of balance, timing, and anticipation. They have a flair for running with the ball, and an ability to catch and pass, sidestep and swerve, kick and tackle, even if not always in the orthodox manner. Because of these qualities, they are especially suited to the position of loose forward. Maoris are seldom without necessary gumption, but in the past they have often been without the necessary training and fitness to capitalise on their natural attributes. New Era It is not difficult to predict that New Zealand rugby will be further enriched by Maori flankers and number eights. Greater rugby knowledge, better training methods, and natural gifts will open the door to a flood of Maori players in all club, provincial, and international teams. They will be there not as back players, but as powerful, driving, tight and loose forwards. But if the aim of rugby administrators is to continue to promote and maintain a ‘live’ New Zealand Maori team of high standard, then practice in the form of games should be more frequent. Annual fixtures with leading provinces, New Zealand XV's or international sides are essential. Captain Whakahuihui Vercoe, the Church of England chaplain to the First Battalion New Zealand Regiment, is the first Maori padre to be assigned to Malaya. He is accompanied by his wife and two young children. Captain Vercoe was born in Opotiki and educated at Feilding Agricultural College. He was ordained in 1957 and until his appointment to the First Battalion he was in charge of the Rangitikei-Manawatu Maori pastorate.