Lions Unfairly Compared With Springboks

Press, Issue 31095, 25 June 1966, Page 17

Lions Unfairly Compared With Springboks

(From Our Rugby Reporter)

WELLINGTON.

Long Rugby tows of New Zealand always produce side issues.

At the moment, apart from the Rugby and the lack of forward control, the matter that is most worrying the players in the British Isles Rugby team is the allegation that they are an unpopular team socially and will not mix with their hosts.

At Invercargill it would be correct to say that the players did not mix quite as freely as some other touring teams

have done. But can one blame them.

They had arrived in Invercargill after an exhausting tour of Australia and immediately were thrust into a semisocial whirl dominated almost by “stag shows.” There was criticism that at Invercargill that some players left the official function before supper was served. But then why should players be expected to spend a whole evening talking Rugby and breasting the bar? Comparisons have been made, and naturally so, of this team and the Springboks last year. That is quite wrong. Out Of Their Way

The South African players went out of their way to be friendly more so than any other touring team, overseas or otherwise. This Lions team is just an ordinary Rugby touring side. Some players are quiet and reserved, other more gregarious, but as a whole they are friendly and courteous and certainly so far cannot be called rude or discourteous.

Perhaps because they make up a relatively young team they may show signs of immaturity at times, but it has been most noticeable that as the tour has progressed they have become more and more ready to mix and this is a natural progression of their acclimatisation in New Zealand.

Captain Blamed What, however, has upset many of the players, is the allegation that the captain, M. J. K. Campbell-Lamerton, has been responsible for this alleged surliness. This they deny. Campbell - Lamberton has produced a fine team spirit in this polygot team, and irrespective of captaincy problems the team swear by him. The chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union (Mr T. C. Morrison) —a man not given to extravagant statements—has described Mr O’Brien as "the most thoughtful, and helpful manager” he has met on a New Zealand tour.