MAORIS IN WALES

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 54, 27 November 1926, Page 11

MAORIS IN WALES

RIGHT ROYAL WELCOME STIRRING DRAW WITH NEWPOF NEW WELSH RULES FAVOURED (Specially Written for The Dominion by E. E. Booth.) Newport, October 23. The Maoris were received iu royal fashion m Wales, and on their arrival here in Newport they were accorued a stirring civic reception. In fact, the Welsh Rugby representatives made more preparation than for the All Blacks’ visit. Mr. Horace Lyne briefly referred to the introduction of the new Welsh rules, which he hoped would not seriously inconvenience the visitors. Mr. Parata and Mr. Harris, on beliall of the Maoris, stated that they practically endorsed these rulings, which had virtually been tried already in New Zealand with success, and they declared that they had not raised any objection to nor instituted any objection to playing these rules. The Welsh opinion regarding this matter is that some of the authorities in Loudon must have "got at” the New Zealand representative, who had made a statement that the Maoris would object. Anyhow, here the Maoris are now right in amongst the "Taffies,” and they have been hailed in splendid style. They have had a great round of sightseeing here, doing the docks, etc. The Match at Newport. The first Welsh match of the Maoris’ tour was played at Newport on a bitterly cold, wet day. Rain eased off slightly after the game started. The ground was holding, with the ball greasy and elusive. About 16,000 persons were present, and it is maintained that had the weather been flue there would have been a record gate. The play throughout was a wonderfully fine exhibition by both sides, and a remarkable game under the climatic conditions.. The Maoris knew Newport’s great proclivity to rise against all visiting combinations, and they played their best game of the tour so far, according to their own ideas. Newport is still about the strongest of the Welsh clubs, although Leicester just beat them on their own graund last week for the first time for ‘2O years. The best local authorities assured me that Newport distinctly played above themselves against the Maoris. The Maoris, in playing a drawn game against Newport in the manner they did, absolutely dominating the second spell to such an extent that Newport were only thrice in the Maoris’ twentyfive, have achieved a really wonderful performance. As for the standard of play, it was somewhat ragged for a start, but soon settled into a great game, which improved during its progress. Both sides endeavoured to play an open game. The scrum halves, Kingi and Dowdall, were in excellent form, and the operation of the new rule gave a full and rapid clearance of the ball .from the scrum. The result was a free, open game, which became almost exhilarating in its final stages, with the Maoris maintaining a vigorous attack on the Newport line. Matene almost landed a penalty goal, and Phillips made a very fine attempt at dropping a goal, missing by inches. , The result of the game I consider as’a moral victory for the Maoris. They have become very popular here, their play being much admired on account of its sporting nature and freedom from viceful tendencies. Falwasser again demonstrated that he is a player above the ordinary, and twice he almost cleared through all opposition. Personally, I was much impressed with the Maoris’ showing. Needless to state, this fine game against such redoubtable opponents as Newport has put great heart into the Maoris, and their morale is now of the very best. Newport were slightly better in the forwards, but they preferred to try the open passing game, which suited the Maoris. All the Maoris’ backs were reliable and stubborn in defence, and only somewhat lacking in finishing off movements, otherwise they would have won. It is illuminating to note that the Maoris were awarded eleven free kicks during the game and Newport only got six. This demonstrated the correctness of the Maoris’ play. Mr. W. J. Llewellyn, who figured so much on tlie last All Blacks’ tour, was a most capable referee, making due allowance for the state of the ground, etc. Almost every man on the field played well and his hardest. Pelham was sale at back, kicking well. Falwasser, Potaka, and Phillips made a fine three-quarter line, Bell, Barclay, S. Gemmell, and Kingi doing "well behind the scrum The forwards were all fine, Manihera, Robinson, Manning, Matene, and Crawford perhaps being the bast. The Maoris were delighted at the result. Things are looking more promising for them in many ways. One thing that the Maoris do on this tour that is surpassingly good is their haka. It is splendid, and yesterday its effect on the Welsh crowd was marvellous, and they cheered and cheered the Maoris repeated lv.