THE MAORIS’ TOUR

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1926, Page 6

THE MAORIS’ TOUR

FXCITING GAME AT BARBONNE MAORIS WIN BY THREE POINTS. LANGUEDOC TEAM'S INTERNATIONALS. (From Our Correspondent with the Team.) Biarritz, Oct. 1. The Maoris retained their unbeaten record to-day, when they met and defeated a strong combination representing Languedoc, at Narbonne by 8 points to 5. The weather was kind to the 15X100 spectators who turned out, and tiie ground was not so hard as hitherto. Languedoc is second only to Toulouse for Rugby honours in Frande, and the team which played against the Maoris contained 8 internationals. The Maoris also fielded a strong team, and a fast and clean, though not a brilliant game of Rugby resulted. A feature of the game was the fine play of both vanguards in the loose, though the scrummaging left much to be desired. The Languedoc pack was heavier than that of the Maoris, the extra weight greatly assisting in giving the ball to the French half from the scrums. This player set his backs going again and again, but the.passing of the backs, although, generally speaking, cleaner than that of the Maoris, made little headway, the inside backs, other than the half himself, showing little initiative. They were content merely to pass the ball out to the wing. The Maori barks worked with better understanding to-day, but they liad very few chances, and found the detcnce of the opposition very sound. All the points were scored in the first spell, when the Maoris had the sun behind them. In the second half Languedoc launched attack after attack, and were very dangerous on several occasions, but the desperate defence of the blacks kept them out. Meanwhile the Maoris were not content to ulay a defensive game, and also attacked at every opportunity, but their efforts were not attended with any further success. Phillips again played well for the Maoris, that little extra bit of pstee serving him well several times. Barclay had the misfortune to receive a nasty cut on the forehead 15 minntee after the kick-off, but not before he had scored his 12th try in his five games in France. Pelham, who went on when Barclay was injured, made quite a good showing at full-baek, especially when he had the sun against him after half time. Falwasser had hard luck in not scoring after the first few minutes of play, and subsequently got few chances. Potaka, Bell and Wi Neera did good work on defence, the latter especially keeping well up on the opposing backs. Haupapa is hardly a success at wingforward, and would be better in the scrum. In the vanguard Stewart played a great game. He kept going hard all through, and he is a wonderful worker in the loose. Rika, Crawford and Haupapa aiso played well. The player who took the eye in the Languedoc rearguard was the centrethreequarter, Bailettel He played a heady game, varying his tactics well. Serin, the scrum half, was very smart in getting the ball away to his backs, but on occasions his passes were inclined to be wild. He made good headway several times when he elected to go on his own. Graule, the stand-off half, gathereel the many difficult passes from his confrere very well, but lacked initiative in attack. In the very fine Languedoc pack, the captain, Cassayet, and Rrbere played great games. The former has represented his country on no fewer than 27 occasions. The referee was if Ferrieres, of Toulouse. He kept up well with a very fast game, and for the first quarter kept a very strict confrol of the play. Later he relaxed somewhat, but, generally speaieing, he gave satisfaction. GENERAL NOTES. The Maoris are having bad luck with injuries, and several of the beet players are at present “hors de combat.” J. Gemmel, who was injured in the Lyons match, was sent to Paris for treatment, and will not be available for some time, but his injury is not so bad as it was at first feared. S. Gemmel is suffering from water on the knee as a result of the same game, and is unable to play. The game at Narbonne accounted for two more players. Barclay's head required the insertion of four "stitches, but he should soon be playing again. Robinson, however, will probably be unable to play for some weeks, his back being badly strained in hie fall at Narbonne. Bell played at Narbonne in spite of his injury at Lyons and came through the game alright. The team travelled as far as Nimes on Monday afternoon, and spent Tuesday in that historic old town. Visits were made to the “Arenas,” built by the Romans in the Ist eenturv, to the "Vlaison Carree.” a temple erected by them between 25 and 15 8.C., and also to some old Roman swimming baths. All these places are in ' a wonderful state of preservation, the Arenas being used even -at the present time for bull fighting. Later a car-a-banc ride was taken to the “Pont du Gard,” an enormous aqueduct built by the Romans in 19 B.C. Narbonne extended • an enthusiastic welcome to the Mauris. On their arrival at 6.30 in Um evening they found the town gaily decorated with bunting, and Japanese lanterns were strung in hundreds through the boulevards. The populace turned out en masse to greet them, aud*later in the evening were tender, d a reception at the rooms of tne Narbonne Racing Club, which had done much to organise the match. BEATEN ON THEIR .MERITS. PARIS WINS BY n POINTS TO 9. (From Our Correspondent with the Term.) Paris, Oct. 16. . The Maoris played the final match of the erst portion of their tour to-day, at the Colombes stadium, against a team selected rom Paris. It was hoped that the Maoris would sail to England without being decated in France, but such was not to be 'he case. After having remained unbeaten in the first eight games, they succumbed in the n.nth, though by a marg.n of two points only. The weather was close and overcast, while towards fbe end of the match a heavy dr.zzle set in. The attendance was

between 25,000 and 30,000. The game itself was very closely contested, the final stages being exciting, as the Maoris made strenuous endeavours to stave off defeat. They owe their defeat chiefly to their weak tackling, a fault that has already been pointed out. Several times a Maori player was seen to tackle a Paris man, and apparently successfully, but in a moment the player would be away again with the ball. The Maori inside backs also made the mistake of short punting, instead of passing, thus enabling the safe Paris rearguard to obtain possession of the ball. While the Maori backs showed little cohesion, either in defence or on attack, the forwards played splendidly, both in the loose and tight play, and more than held their own against the French vanguard. The Paris backs, almost without exception, played very well, and showed excellent combination. Their defence was also very sound, both as regards tackling and fielding. None of the Maori backs can be mentioned for special play. Barclay turned out again for the first time since his injury at Narbonne, but was by no means well when he went on the field. He was very well marked by the opposing backs, having, as it were, an opponent at his shoulder throughout the game to dump him should he receive the ball. Of the forwards, Bell, Tatana, S. Gemmel, Stewart, and Rika ail played up to form. The hero of the Paris side was Besson, the right, wing-three-quarter. He scored two of the tries, and was mainly responsible for the other. I mentioned this player previously when he played against the Maoris at Dijon, and he showed up even better to-day while playing with more experienced players, his turn of speed being remarkable. Chilo, the full-back, who played with Besson against the 1924 All Blacks, also played a splendid game. His fielding of the ball was perfect, and the manner in which he consistently found touch with long punts must have been disheartening to the Maoris. He has thoroughly mastered the New Zealand kick-into-touch rule, which is now played in France. Chilo was injured during the early part of the game, and was replaced, but returned to the field of play shortly afterwards. The remaining Paris backs all played well, Du Manoir and Gerald being especially noticeable. As usual, the Maoris set up a strong attack from the kick-off, and play remained in French territory almost continuously for the first 20 minutes. Then the blue forwards dribbled through, but Phillips found touch at his twenty-five. The Maori forwards returned play to half-way, however, only to see Lousted pick up and send Besson away. The winger made a splendid run down the touch line, and passed infield to his forwards, enabling Laffont to score after several had handled. Chilo failed with the kick. Paris 3, Maoris 0. Almost immediately Barclay made a good run down the line, but was tackled well by Chilo, who was knocked out in the effort, and had to leave the field. He returned later. The Maoris continued to attack until a free kick sent play to black territory, where Phillips was tackled with the ball. Shortland was handy, and found touch. From the line-out, a good passing bout by the Parisiens ended in a good run by Houdet, but Falwasser brought him down. A period of loose play followed, until during a rush by the black forwards the Paris rearguard turned defence into attack, the ball going eventually to Besson, who was away like a shot, and outpacing Potaka and Phillips, ran 40 yards to score under the bar. Chilo had no difficulty with the kick. Paris 8, Maoris 0. Flay returned to the Paris side, where it had been for the greater part of the spell, in spite of the score. The black forwards kicked over the line, but Paris forced. The Maoris were almost over again, but Du Manoir snapped up and found touch. Potaka then attempted a dropped goal from a free kick, but the ball fell short, Chilo marking on his goal line, his kick to touch going out at 10 yards. The Maoris were awarded another free kick soon after, Potaka making a good attempt. A “speculator” kick by one of the Paris forwards was fielded by Wi Neera, but instead of passing, to his backs, .who were lined out ready he attempted a pot, thus spoiling an excellent chance. From the drop out, however, the backs got going, the ball being handled by Kingi and Potaka. Barclay was forced out at the corner as he took his pass. The referee ruled that Barclay had been obstructed, however, and awarded a penalty try. Potaka failed with a difficult kick, and when half-time sounded after a further spell of loose play, the scoring board showed Paris 8, Maoris 3. Five minutes after resumption the blue backs, again took the ball from the feet of the Maori forwards, and started a passing rush. The ball came to Besson, who evaded Barclay, Potaka. and Phillips, scoring a brilliant try after running half the length of the field. The try was not converted. Paris 11, Maoris 3. Both Houdet and Besson made good runs down the touch line soon after, but were forced out, and then a mis-kiek by Potaka nearly let Houdet over. A free kick gave relief. With defeat staring at them, the Maoris again took play to the blue half, Kingi, Wi Neera, Potaka, and Barclay handling in a bout, but the lastnamed was forced out at half-way. Then Wilson, Tatana and Matene carried on right to the blue line with the ball at toe. A counter-attack took play back to half-way, where Falwasser obtained possession and made a great 50 yards run, but was blocked. Then from a scrum, the blacks hooked, and Shortland dodged round the scrum, and from the ensuing melee the ball shot across to Potaka, who scored a pretty try, which he failed to convert. Paris 11, Maoris 6. During the remaining 15 minutes the Maoris launched attack after attack, but without success. Shortly before time, however, the blacks were awarded a free kick wide out, and Matene kicked a great goal, an exciting and interesting game ending with the Parisiens winners by 11 points to 9 points. NOTES. On Saturday, the Maoris paid a visit to the Arc de Triomphe, and placed a wreath on the grave of the French Unknown soldier. THE FIRST STAGE OF THE TOUR. A REVIEW OF THE PLAY. The Maori Rugby team has now„completed the first stage of its tour, having won eight and lost one of the matches played in France. Although the team has been so successful, they have been somewhat lucky to come through this portion of the tour with only one defeat. They played game after game, but could strike up little combination, and the victories were due mainly to the individual ability of the players. The team's greatest fault at present is poor tackling. This has been noticeable in several games, there being only a few players who really make sure of the man. Another fault which was particularly apparent on Sunday last when they were de- | feated by Paris, was that well-known short punt, and also the attempts at pots from

poor positions. These only served io further assist the Paris men, and their fine rearguard made good use of the ball whenever they had possession. The Maori forwards have proved themselves a very fine lot. In the earlier games they were unable to hook the ball, chiefly because of the tactics which were adopted by the hooker of the opposing team, and which were not prevented by the referee. In the last two games, however, they have easily held their own in this department of the game. Their loose play leaves nothing to be desired. The outstanding player of the team has been the captain, W. P. Barclay. This player has played in six of the games, and has scored do fewer than 13 tries. He scored the majority of these in individual efforts, and has proved himself a very dangerous scoring man, having plenty of pace and determination, and an excellent fend. Falwasser has also been very prominent, but has not had many chances. He has frequently electrified the crowds with his speedy, swerving dashes down the line, and has scored 7 tries so far. The most promising players of the team are probably Shortland and Robinson. The former has played in all the games, and very consistently. He opens up the game at every opportunity, and he makes many opportunities to open up the game. The manner in which he takes the ball off the feet of the opposing forwards is a treat to watch. The latter player, who was chosen as a wing three-quarter, has been playing in the forwards. Robinson has the makings of a very fine forward, being very fast in spite of his bulk, and believes in following, the ball, no matter who is in the way. Unfortunately he was injured in the game at Narbonne, and has not played since. He is progressing favourably, and should soon be in the fray again. Another forward who has been playing very well is Rika, of North Auckland. He has proved himself a fine forward, both in the tight and in the loose ; play. Stewart has also been very promin-

ent in the loose play, and is a tireless worker. The team has been under great difficulties during its tour in France, more particularly as regards the food available for them. French cooking is very grea... nd altogether unsuitable for training, and much of the best food is spoilt by being smothered with dressing. At Paris the team could not even get sufficient accommodation, and found great difficulty in getting their meals at all, some of the players actually going elsewhere for meals. The results of the tour to date are as follows:—Marseilles, at Marseilles, won, 87 points for, 0 against; La Bourgoyne, at Dijon, won, 27—3; Les Alpes, at Grenoble, won,226;3 —6; Le Littoral, at Avignon, won, 29—8; Le Lyonnais, at Lyons, won, 17—3; Le Languedoc, at Narbonne, won, B—s; La Cote Basque, at Bayonne, won, 13—3; Equipe de Centre, at Clermont-Ferrand, won, 16—3; Paris, at Paris, lost, 9—ll. Played 9, won 8, lost 1. Points for, 229; against, 42. W. Potaka has scored 54 points, W. P. Barclay 41, A. Falwasser 21, W. Lockwood and J. Stewart each 15. 53 tries have been scored, making 158 points; 29 conversions —sBpoints, 2 mark goals—6; 2 penalty goals—6 points; making a total of 229 points.