FIJIANS ONLY RUGBY TEST

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20910, 15 September 1939, Page 11

FIJIANS ONLY RUGBY TEST

BIG TASK FOR MAORI ALL BLACKS

CAN TOURISTS MAINTAIN UNBEATEN RECORD ?

HAMILTON GAME TOMORROW SHOULD BE BRIGHT

Rugby history will be made in Hamilton tomorrow afternoon when the first test match ever played in New Zealand by Fijian footballers will be decided. Opponents to the brilliant Islanders will he the New Zealand Maori All Blacks. With chances of maintaining an unbeaten record for their first international Rugby tour, determined to be at the height of their form for the only test match of the tour, and anxious to take the rubber'which in the initial series between the Maoris and the Fijians at Fiji last year, was undecided, the Fijians were in great heart when they arrived in Hamilton today.

In six previous matches played on the present tour of the Dominion, when some of the best teams in the country were pitted against them, the Fijians have proved themselves to be exponents of fast and bright Rugby. Waikato people are fortunate in having the opportunity of seeing the only te°t, match of the tour and the Maoris can be relied upon to make the tourists play at the height of their form. Both teams throw the ball about brightly and, although the Fijians may have the advantage of combination, the game is extremely open and the verdict will be in doubt until the matoh ends.

FINE RECORD TOURISTS’ CREDENTIALS CLEVER EXPONENTS OF GAME. Representatives of the youngest Rugby-playing country in File world, the Fijian side can be justly proud of its record in winning every match to date in its tour. Possessed of a fine knowledge of the game and having big players with mure than average speed, the Fijians seem destined to become one of the finest Rugby nationalities in the world. The islanders’ rise has been meteoric, and tomorrow Hamilton and Waikato people will have the opportunity of seeing some of the best Fijian football before the visitors depart for home. The Maoris will not be able to take their opponents cheaply. The Fijians

ing. An interesting feature of the Fijian tour has been the fact that the tourists have had to play several of their matches under adverse weather conditions, but, despite the fact that the Islanders are accustomed to dry grounds, they retained an unbeaten record. Included in the Maori team are W. J. Phillips, of Waikato, E. S. Jackson and S. T. Reid (Hawke's Bay), all of whom are All Black players. Wi Repa anad Tuhoro wt>e Maori All Blacks last year. When the Maori All Blacks visited Fiji last August they played five matches, three being won, one lost and one drawn. In the test matches each side won one and the other—the first test—was drawn. The rubber, therefore, lias not yet been decided, but to-morrow's game should give Ilia rubber to one or the other team lor the first time. Last year the Fijians proved stronger than was anticipated and the same may be said of the tourists this season. Fijian Record The record of the touring Fijian side on its Dominion tour is as follows : Pts. Pts. Opponents Venue F. A. Bay or Plenty Maoris, Rotorua 11 0 North Auckland, Whangarel 12 11 King- Country, Taumarunui 14 6 Auckland, Auckland 17 11 Nelson-Golden Bay, Nelson 6 6 Buffer Westport 9 4 Ashburton, Ashburton 10 4 The teams are as follows: Maori All Blacks fullback: G. Harvey (Hawke's Bay). Threequarters: H. Steel (lOtago), I\. P. White (North Auckland), W. J. Phillips (Waikato). Five-eighths: N. Kotua (Nelson), To Wi Repa (East Coast). Halfback: J. H. Pile (Auckland). Back Row: T. Whitley (Bay of Plenty). Middle Row: S. T. Reid (Hawke's Bay), M. McDonald Hawke's Bay), D. Tuhoro (East Coast). P. Smith (Hawke’s Bay). Front Row: E. Jackson (Hawke's Bay), R. W. Winiata (lloro whenua), D. Mason (Marlborough). Emergencies: Back, T. 'Kawe (•Otago) ; forward, A. West (Southland ). Fijians 'Fullback.—<l. Korovulavula. Threequarters.—E. Bola, S. Ralawa, J. J. Voreqe. ‘Five-eighths.—l. Nagatalevu, G. K. Cakobau (captain). Halfback.—J. Wesele. Back Row.—-V. Vavaitamana (vicecaptain) . Middle 'Row.—P. Lagilagl, A. Tuitavua, S. Qurai, P. Ganilau. Front Row.—V. Loba, T. Vosaicake, S. Vatudau. Reserves. —Backs: A. Kororua, S. Seruisavou, V. Cavuilati. Forwards: I. Vosailagi. S. Pita. The decision to play a 3—i—l ' scrum formation for the first time on the tour, was made this morning.

are particularly fit and they will have the definite advantage over the Maoris of combination which lias been acquired on the New Zealand tour. Determined dive tackling is a feature of the Fijian game, and in that respect they have proved themselves brilliant on defensive play. The Maoris will have a difficult task in breaking through that defence, but there are many fine backs in the New Zealand side which includes Several All Blacks. The Fijians have a good knowledge of the rules and t'hey back up splendidly. The visitors will field what they regard as their strongest fifteen tomorrow'. 2-3-2 Scrumming The Fijians play a 2-3-2 scrum with a wing forward. That will add colour to the contest, particularly as it is still a keenly debated point in this country whether the old scrum formation is better than the revised pac.k-