FIRST BRITISH DEFEAT

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 989, 4 June 1930, Page 10

FIRST BRITISH DEFEAT

AFTER a display of fast, open Rugby that must have delighted every spectator at Athletic Park, Wellington, yesterday, the British team suffered its first defeat. The triumphal march of the visitors down the North Island was stopped by a powerful combination, though it would be very foolish to assume from this that the British are in retreat. Undoubtedly they fielded a strong side yesterday, but it is quite apparent that their resources are by no means fully exploited. Wellington’s win will do the tourists no harm, especially as the circumstances in which it was secured taught them that there is a dangerously effective counter to their method of play ; on the other hand it will do New Zealand considerable good, for the measure of the British team has now been taken. The result of the match w-as to some extent a surprise. Although nobody under-estimated the strength of the Wellington fifteen, and the fixture was regarded justly as being a minor test, the best British side available was fielded, and the most hoped for by the majority was a brisk, even game. Obviously, however, as the play went, the visitors added greatly to their speedilygrowing reputation for keen and satisfying orthodox methods. In fact, in the analysis, Wellington’s role has been the negative one of spoiler, with occasional moments of successful aggression. It may he assumed that these safety-first tactics werar the outcome of Mr. W. Wallace’s observations during the earlier matches of the tour. Wellington’s eoaeh had seen the danger of the fast, open British methods, and prescribed the necessary remedy. In applying it, Porter seems to have been given considerable latitude, but his generalship was as good as ever, and, if he took the only available road to victory, who is to blame him? At this stage of the tour it has become abundantly clear Britain has sent to New Zealand something of a “surprise packet.” The calibre of the visiting players has exceeded the expectations of all save those who were in close touch with Rughv in the Homeland and, in consequence, the tour is becoming an even greater public success than was anticipated. In view of this the New Zealand Rugby Union would be well advised to reopen the question of accommodation at Eden Park. A crowd of 30,000 assembled in Wellington yesterday and it is quite possible that half as many again will represent Auckland’s enthusiasm, particularly at the third Test. That being so, Eden Park is quite incapable of providing satisfactory accommodation. With the prospect of even, exciting battles on July 19 and 26, Auckland is entitled to demand adequate provision for its thousands, and it is in the interests of the controlling authorities to supply it.