N.Z. BEATEN AT OWN GAME

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 3, 27 September 1937, Page 9

N.Z. BEATEN AT OWN GAME

-Press Association.)

Tactics the All Blacks Taught the Springboks

COMMENT ON THE GAME

(By Telegraph-

AUCKLAND, L'pst Night. "I have seen the AU Blacks and Springboks in defeat and in victory. It is fair to say that in victory both have shown a rightful and becoming modes'ty and in defeat courage and gentlemanliness," deelared Hon. P, Fraser, Minister of Health, speaking on behalf of the Government at a complimentary dinner tendered to the Test match teams by the New Zealand Bugby Union. The president of the union, Mr. T. Meredith, presi'ded and the guests included the Mayor, Sir Eniest Davis, Hon. P. Draser, Hon. F, Jopes and Hon. D. G. Sullivan. A message was read from the Governor-General, complimenting the Springboks on their meritorious win, , Proposing the toast of the South African Board and Springbok team, Mr. Meredith said the board had shown a grept deal of wisdom in refusing to depart from the International rules and New Zealanders had learned from the touring team that games decided undor thege conditions were fast and attractive. ' ' Thq iSpringboks have shown up what fine players apd what fine gentlemen they are, " stated Mr. ■ Fraser. l'here was not one person in New Zealand vyjia begrudged them thqir victory apd the tourists' reputation never stood so high as at the present. Collectively and individuaUy they would be welcomed baek to New Zealand at any time. The affection with whieh the Springboks had been greeted everywhere in New Zealand, the hospitality extended to them and the fine spirit in which the tour had been undertaken, were mentioped by the pipnager, Mr. A. de Villiers, in reply. "There is very little to say about the game. We were outmapQ8uyred and outplayed," asserted tho New Zealanrfcaptain, Mr. K. E. King. ''it waa a really fine match played in a fiiie spirit We have learned lessons, and I.iiQpe we shall benefit from them."; The opinion that tho New Zealanders had lost the Eugby /Test by "tactics which they themselves had taughl Squth Africa waq exprgssed by Mr. f, J. Nel, captain of the Springboks, when replying to thp toast of the topripg team, He sajd it wps qsseptial for the forwards to be pble to handle .and ,ta ' back up iptensively, so bringing about oehesiou between back and forward play. ('So f ar as ouf 'victory to-day is concerned I am naturally a very proud uian, ' ' Mr. Nel stated. "By defeating thq All Blackg this'afternoon we have pchieved something morq than previous Springbok teams have done, and the victory is a fitting climax to a great tour. However, I do not wish to harp tpo .much on opr win. We have had a wonderful topr and we have enjoyed every minute of our stay here." Mr. Nel said that when the New Zealand team visited South Africa in I92S the lessons they had taught had been taken to hcart. One of the ghief tliingg wps ths intpnse baeking up by thq forwards and -the magnificent handling, and this had become pnq pf thq jpfiin ph.ases qf thq game in South Africa, ^Naturally we stiU expected this to be one of the chief thinga in your football, but somehow you have lapsed in this direction,'' Mr. Nel ndded. "It is essential that the forwards should be able to handle and back up intensely, as these factors bring about cohosion between back qnd forvrard -Dlav."