GOOD OR BAD, THE LIONS ARE WELCOME SIGHT

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31093, 23 June 1966, Page 16

GOOD OR BAD, THE LIONS ARE WELCOME SIGHT

(By

There is something especially appealing about a British Lions Rugby team, and it was good to see the bright red jerseys at Lancaster Park again yesterday.

R. T. BRITTEN DEN)

Perhaps this team will not rise much above its present mediocre record; perhaps it will build on the undoubted quality it showed for the first half of the second spell. But whether the team goes on to more important successes, or continues to struggle desperately against powerful provincial teams, the Lions will always leave the impression that they are about to achieve something of rare brilliance at any moment. Whetted Appetites

The sunshine of success shone on the Lions only fitfully against an enterprising New Zealand Universities team. But this first of three appearances the team will make at Lancaster Park certainly whetted the appetite. There were times when the Lions played superbly; the forwards driving together spiritedly, and the backs running beautifully. On occasion, the visiting team fell below a good provincial standard.

But from the match came a lively appreciation of the incredible speed of Watkins, the accomplished tackling of Bresnihan, the power of Pask and Mcßride, the sagacity and strength of Grant, and the wonderful resolution of Rutherford, in making the tackle or taking the up-and-under calmly against the pressure of the opposing forwards and the exultant crowd. The Universities, too, contributed in large measure to the swift flow of the game, in the second spell particularly. It was not great Rugby, but it was enjoyable for the spectator and for most of the players. Back-Alley Tactics

Unfortunately, for the fourth time in as many games, there were occasions when the frustrations and irritations almost inevitable in Rugby football persuaded players to swing their fists. The Lions forward, Prothero, was the victim of a dreadful, clubbing overhead blow.

Too many Rugby officials, coming away from the game, would undoubtedly be muttering something about Rugby being a man’s game. But is it, when petulance can be given such free expression? Rugby officialdom is too ready to whitewash the game, to condone back-alley tactics. Yesterday’s match was one which, it might have been expected, would be free from incident, because there was

no distorted parochial pride to urge on the home team; and for the Lions, there was an opposing side which was at least interested in trying to express some of the Rugby arts. But even in this game, tempers flared, blows were struck, and each one was a blot on a fine sport. Unless referees are encouraged to act more firmly, ability as a fighter will be half-way to the making of an accomplished footballer. Control of Children Before the Lions return for the matches against Canterbury and New Zealand, the Canterbury Rugby Union will have to strengthen its arrangements for the control bf children In the crowd. Wisely, the union has provided a schoolboys* enclosure at the south end of the embankment, and in it, youngsters are safe from being crushed in packed crowds.

Yesterday, there were enough empty seats in front of number four stand, and in number five stand, to. persuade someone that there would be no harm in the schoolchildren using them. So in the first half- of the match they streamed . across the embankment to occupy these seats.

Once there, however, there was no-one to control them, and a minute or so before the game ended they streamed on to the field. With some difficulty, they were persuaded to retire, and the game went on. But when the New Zea-

land Universities scored a try at the call of time, the boys, all enthusiasm, surged on the ground again, hundreds of them. The Lions were red buoys in a sea of youngsters as they waited for a kick at goal which could not be taken. It was rather similar to the! situation at the end of the J famous Otago-Canterbury match of 1954. But it was a dangerous one. The union, in self-

protection, must ensure that children are not allowed to endanger themselves. There will be more of them present when Canterbury meets the Lions on July 23, for whatever sort of fate awaits the Lions when they begin their North Island matches on Saturday, they will remain extremely popular visitors, largely because they, in a world of Rugby uniformity, provide the delightfully unpredictable.