A GREAT RECORD

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20055, 29 September 1939, Page 3

A GREAT RECORD

FIJIAN RUGBY TEAM UNBEATEN IN N.Z. NOTABLE SUCCESSES WELL LED BY CAKABOU By “Emergency” Although they met only one first . class provincial team in New Zealand, the touring Fijian Rugby team . has a very finp unbeaten record and it is safe to presume that the success ; of the visit to the Dominion will mean . much to the game in the Islands. When the Islanders defeated the 1 Maori fifteen in Hamilton in the last 1 game of their tour they created a great record. They are the only team ■ to tour the Dominion and not lose a i game, their record including one ] drawn game against Nelson-Golden I

Bay.y It will be said that the visitors did not' play any teams of great consequence, but this cannot detract from their great performance. In the opinion of competent judges who saw the tea'm play,, they would have proved a tough nut for any team in New 1 Zealand to crack. Auckland is definitely a major province and this season, although the provincial record may show inconsistencies, the team was a good one. Auckland lost to Southland, by far the best team in the Dominion, on a technical-point only, a point which reflected very little' credit on an All Black player; The team also defeated Wellington in Auckland and drew with Otago, yet, despite this fine record, the team did not offer much : of a problem to the Fijians. The latter Were outhooked by Auckland,- but’ this d.id not stop them from being on top'all through the game. North Auckland had a fine record this season, but they, too, had to lower their colours to the tourists. The team may have played minor teams only in the South Island, but Nelson-Golden Bay, with whom they drew, are a very fine team on their own grounds. Poverty Bay Rugby followers who saw the Maori Rugby match on the Oval will know the strength of the New Zealand Maori team which faced the Fijians in Hamilton in the finale

'r ’to the tour. The forwards, in particular, would be very strong, but they had to lower their colours to the . Fijians. The -captaincy and experience of Cakabou, a player who has had experience in both New Zealand and Australia, meant, much to .the side,, but the captain was backed up by a very strong and fit combination. Unorthodoxy was a feature of the visitors’ play, but it paid handsome dividends. Results of the complete tour , are as follows: — Fijians 11 v. Bay of Plenty Maoris 0. 12 v. North Auckland 11. „ 14 v. King Country 6. 1 „ 17 v. Auckland 11. „ 6 v. Nelson-Golden Bay 6. „ 9 v. Buller 4. „ 10 v. Ashburton 4. „ 13 v. N.Z. Maoris 4. Summary.—Played 8, won 7, drew 1, lost 0; points for 92, against 4G.