RUGBY IN BRITAIN.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5194, 21 October 1927, Page 3

RUGBY IN BRITAIN.

KEEN INTEREST in BRITAIN. NOT EQUAL TO ALL BLACKS. The triumphant march of the All Black Rugby team though England has aroused much discussion in New Zealand as to the style and. standard of play in Britain. In an interview with Brother Calixtus who has recently returned from a trip abroad, and has been closely associated with sport in New Zealand, he gave* his impressions to a reportei of the Waikato Times. Brother Calixtus had the opportunity of seeing England play Wales at Twickenham, when over 60,000 went through the gates. The crowd were very enthusiatic throughout and impartial in their applause. The game ended in a win for England, and. this,, in his opinion, was deserved as the victors lost no chances.

“I was not surprised, after seeing the style of play, that tlhe, All Blacks defeated both teams,” he declared. “They played the good old orthodox Rugby, with very little cutting in or snappy work among the backs. There was also too much reliance on the three-quarters making the; openings. The dribbling, tackling, and following up, however, were first-class.” The Irish’ teams, he declared, resembled the New Zealand's in their style. They had plenty of .dash, while their backs swung into action with g-eit abandon. rii°re was a great keenness for Rugby-in many parts of Ireland, and he was of opinion that if ever the; game became general the Irish internationals would take a lot of beating.