MAORIS IN WALES

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 65, 10 December 1926, Page 12

MAORIS IN WALES

PRESENTED TO DUKE OF YORK NEW ZEALANDERS DEFENCE SOUND (Specially Written for The Dominion by 13. E. Booth.) Swansea, October 24. After the Newport match, both teams had a good evening together, and next morning at the railway station the Maori team were lined up and presented to the Duke of York. He was most genial to the tourists, and the whole incident was a very happy little interlude. Upon the Duke's embarkation from the same train at Cardiff (by which the team journed to Swansea), the team gave a haka, much 'to everybody’s delight, including the Duke and party. Upon arrival at Swansea the Maoris were accorded an enthusiastic reception by the Mayor, councillors, football officials, and leading townsmen. . The team were well quartered at the leading hotel, and during their stay here had excellent entertainment offered. Next day the team were treated to a fine outing per motor-cars, along the rugged, picturesque coastline. The Maoris seem to have made themselves very popular whilst here, and socially they have nothing to complain of. They received quite a flattering send-off when leaving for London on Monday. This Welsh, experience of two matches in two days has caused some of the Maori team to speak with wonder of the Natives’ great performance in 1888 of playing four ami even . five matches a week. . So far I am not fully acquainted with the reserve playing strength of the present team, but, judging from my own impressions so far, I am inclined to think that they will be found wanting. Of course, every team must necessarily, possess some players better than others, but an over-surplus of "duds" must materially place a tremendous strain on the star artists. However, several of the new player, on this tour are improving fast. As regards the playing strength of th© two Welsh clubs, Newport and Swanseaat the present time and when the last New Zealand team, 1924, were here; I think that Newport are hardly as good all round, certainly not in the back division. They lack a leader like Wetter, as in 1924. Their forwards are still©, formidable composition. Qr. Roche, Friend, Herrera, and T. Jones are outstanding. The' last-named on the former (1921) tour fouled Cooke very badly, and on tliis occasion he had an almost head, on collision with Falwasser at top speed, and another Newport player. Jones went off hurt, and Falwasser was unfairly accused of “swinging one.” The Swansea side possess more youthful players now; and all the backs (inci’iding Walters, the Glamorgan crickets er. are rather wanting in knowledge or c* ’bined play.. The forwards, show a ■■inct improvement, Parker, Rice, Long and Hopkins all being excellent. Generally the-- are slightly better than in 1924. Th .■ grass both at Newport and Swansea hud been allowed to grow long as a protection against frost and to provide holding. At the Swansea match the. conditions were ideal, the best in Britain so Car. Since arrival here in Wales I have met many old players known to New Zealand. They include four members of ’edell-Sievwright’s team in 1994, T. Vile (Newport). Dr? Teddy Morgan, Sid Bevan, and W. F. Jowett, all now residing in Swansea. They remember with much appreciation their tour of both Australia and New Zealand. In the match against Swansea, tn© vame favoured the Maoris, and hung on the Swansea. line repeatedly, but lack of finesse spoiled their attackin’- movements. Bell s try was a splendid cut through right under the posts. The attendance rose to nearly 30,000, the largest attendance since the New Zealand team’s visit in 1924. The Maoris should actually have made more from Swansea a weak passing and mistakes than they did. Chances of interception were of. fered often. Most people think the viators won just through the local teams bad play, which was in the.backs much How par. The way Matthews. the white’s scrum half, shot the ball shout me could imagine it a live coal This '-n made Trew, the outside half, look foolish and get caught. fault could be found with the white s forwards, who were a solid, ha.rd-ruck\ng ’ot. The Maori forwards did not induce in those short, snappy passing rushes one naturally expects from every • Zealand team Individually they plaved fairlv well, but failed collectively. Still, o nthe day’s play they deserved their win, and had Swansea won on ourelv nonaltv kicking; that would have been hard luck. After the Maoris opening form at Weston-super-Mare, it was generally anticipated that they would on the fine dry Swansea ground have given a reallv spectacular exposition . of course, the fact that Swansea obtained most of the ball from the scrums, enrtailed their chance of doing; this, ine came was played in excellent spirit. Once, however, there was an exchange ot fistic comnliments on the side of the. scrum. The most prominent amongst the Maori naek were Rika. Dennis, and Crawford. S. Gemmell (rover), as usiial performed surprisingly well. under the -ircumstances he was placed in.