RUGBY FOOTBALL MAORIS DEFEAT FIJI FOR THE RUBBER

Grey River Argus, 9 August 1948, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL MAORIS DEFEAT FIJI FOR THE RUBBER

(Rec. 9.10). SUVA, Aug. 8. In the Third Test match yesterday, the Maori Rugby representatives won the game and the Rubber, beating the Fiji representative team by 14 points to six. The ground, although stick, was much improved, and a hard fast game resulted. Smith and Jacob at half-back, and Cherrington (wing) were outstanding, with Blake, Marriner, Carrington and L. Hohaia the best of the forwards. Blake particularly was outstanding. The first try came from Johnny Smith, who secured from a forward rush, sold a dummy and scored in’’the corner. Kenny missed with the kick. The next Maori try came when Smith passed in to Blake, and the tall forward went over for a certain try, which Kenny converted. Maoris 8, Fiji nil. As well as playing hard in the tight, Blake was always in offing when the backs were in motion, and on many occasions broke up Fijian passing movements. Just before halftime, Atunaisa scored for Fiji from a forward rush.

The Maoris attacked fiercely in the second half, and on several occasions were nearly over, Cherrington, playing with dash and determination, scored the next try in the corner, which Kenny failed to convert. Maoris 11, Fiji 3. From a penalty Veikose kicked a fine goal for Fiji. Maoris 11, Fiji 6.

Just before time, Smith, who had consistently sold the dummy, made an opening for Cherrington to score. Kenny failed to convert, the game ending, Maoris 14, Fiji 6. The Maoris’ knowledge of the game was the deciding factor. The backs consistently varied their play, time and again sending the ball infield to confound the Fijian backs. POVERTY BAY v. EAST COAST P.A. GISBORNE, August 8 Though down three to five at the interval, Poverty Bay reps held a territorial margin throughout and defeated East Coast on Saturday by 17 points to five. Bay scored four tries, one converted and a penalty goal. The Bay backs received a greater share of the ball, and were faster and more versatile in attack and combined better in defence than Coast. Bay forwards gained the ball from more than two-thirds of the decisive scrums and also claimed a margin in line-outs. The Coast forwards played impressively in the early stages, but subsequently were out-played by fitter combination. R. McKinley scored two tries and converted one. The other tries were scored by W. Edwards and J. Barbour, while R. Clay kicked a penalty goal. East Coast’s try was scored by L. Blane and converted by J. Takarangi.