RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3849, 25 September 1928, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

MAORIS DEFEAT N.S. WALES. At Wellington on Saturday, before an attendance of 8,000 people, a Maori team defeated the N.S. Wales touring team by. 9 points to 8. Smothered in mud, the players slithered about on the greasy ground, and did their best to handle a slippery ball. Considering the very adverse conditions, the display given was quite up to international standard. New South Wales were unlucky to lose by 9 points to 8, the Maoris owing their victory to brilliant place-kicking by George Nepia, the famous 1924 All Black, who landed three penalty goals, one being a phenomenal long effort against the wind. Amongst those present were His Excellency the Governor-General (Sir Charles Fergusson), who was cheered by the teams when they took the field, the Prime Minister (Right Hon. J. G. Coates), Hon. A. D. McLeod, Hon. Sir Maui Pomare, Sir Apirana Ngata, and many of the leading Maori chiefs from both islands. A haka by the Maori team, led by D. Tatana, was enjoyed by the crowd.

At Christchurch on Saturday, Wellington defeated Canterbury by 14 points to 7. Wellington were much superior both in the forward and back divisions and deserved the win.

At Auckland in the final representative Rugby game of the season played on Saturday, Taranaki defeated Auckland by 6 points to 3. The game was played on a heavy ground, and rain fell during the greater part of the play. The visitors thoroughly deserved their victory, and would have been unlucky to lose. Their backs combined much more effectively than those of the Auckland team and showed better judgment in placing kicks to advantage, in the first spell Taranaki held a territorial advantage. At half-time Taranaki led by a penalty goal to nil. Toward the end of the game Auckland'scored an unconverted try. Taranaki again gained the lead just before time with a try from which no goal resulted. ALL BLACKS REACH AUSTRALIA. Albany, Sept. 22. The All Blacky arrived at Albany this morning after a fairly rough trip through the Indian Ocean. The Ceramic has been anchored in the roadstead for the past twen-ty-four hours, being unable to berth on account of rough weather. The delay is unlikely to affect the connection at Sydney. The match against Victoria set down for September 27 is now postponed until the 29th. The whole party are fit and are Rooking forward to their arrival home. The Ceramic is sailing for Adelaide this afternoon.

The wind-up committee meeting of the Foxton Football Club Avas held in Walls’ rooms on Friday evening, presided over by Mr. H. Hutchins (president). Also present were Messrs C. Rand, C. Procter, A. Walls and the secretary (Mr. R. Hornblow). An apology for absence was received from Mr. R. Cochrane. The president reported on the final meeting of the Union and distribution of trophies, Avhich was held in Levin last week. Matters relative to the finance of the Club were discussed, and accounts amounting to £9 Avere passed for payment. It Avas decided not to hold any further meeting unless any urgent business required attention. It was reported that a concert Avas to be held at an early date in aid of the Club’s funds.