FIJIANS’ VICTORY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20045, 18 September 1939, Page 9

FIJIANS’ VICTORY

N.Z. MAORIS DEFEATED UNBEATEN ON TOUR SPECTACULAR DISPLAY * BRILLIANCE OF BACKS (Per Prene Association.) HAMILTON, this day. In an exhibition of .spectacular Rugby such as has not been seep in Hamilton for many years, the Fijians won the only test match of their tour and maintained their unbeaten record when they defeated the New Zealand Maoris by 14 points to 4 on Saturday. The game was the last of the Fijians’ tour and provided a great finale. Over 1200 people saw the Fijians’ brilliant form, but the Maoris played well and made the islanders fight every inch of the way to victory. However, lack of practice and resultant breakdowns of combination resulted in weaknesses in the Maori ■ side.

At half-time the Fijians led by six points to nil, Bola and Vosaicake scoring tries. Later, Voreque and Ralawa scored tries, Cakobau converting the last try. For the Maoris, Kotua landed a brilliant field goal. . Spectacular Game

Speed, uncanny combination, hard, low-dive tackling by the tourists were features of the match. The conditions favoured the bright, spectacular game of the visitors, who threw the ball about with gay abandon from start to finish, and it was amazing to see the manner in which they changed the direction of their attacks when going at full speed. After seeing the display, the excellent record of the tourists in this country can readily be understood. To score tries against them seemed an impossibility. Although the Maoris lacked combination at the start, they later settled down. Conditions also suited their style of play and they attempted to beat the Fijians at their own! game. The deadly tackling upset them'considerably. This was one phase of the play where they failed. The Maoris’ greatest weaknesses were poor passing and erratic handling. They were completely outclassed. They made the game exciting by fighting back as well as Urey could, and made several sallies which raised the crowd to its toes. Prominent Maoris The best of the Maoris were Phillips and Steel, wingers, and they had all too few chances. The half-back, Pile, sent out some very smart passes, but erratically at times and Wi Repa could not reach them. When he did he mishandled too often. If he took a pass well, Kotua or White failed to hold the ball. All three made one or two spectacular breaks, but lost touch with their supports. Mason, Jackson, McDonald and Whltely were the pick of the forwards.

The Fijians all played very well. Wesclle was a great half-back. The manner in which Cakobau moved into his passes and straightened up attacks paved the way ’ for many bright moments. The centre, Ralawa, was brilliant, his speed, handling ability, penetration and ability to change the direction of the defence, and the way he ran his wings into position, stamped him as a player of class. The wingers, Bola and Voreque, were fast and determined, and the full-back, Korovulavula, was very sound. All backed up well. The forwards played ilie 3—4—l scrum for the first time on the tour, but were beaten for possession by the Maoris. However, the fast breaking forwards soon robbed . the Maoris, while on. the occasions they did hook tfie ball the back lint swept, smoothly

into action. Their natural agility was most marked in the great forward dribbling rushes. They also played welt in the line-outs and gained more than their share of ihc ball. Qurni and Vosaicake wore perhaps most consistently on the ball, but Lagilagi, Vavaitomana and Ganilau were also exceptionally fast and fit.