Kokiri 19 - Te Puni Kokiri

RAU TAUCanterbury’s hard-man, Billy Bush.Source: Auckland Rugby UnionHonourary New Zealand Mäori breakaway,Kiwi Blake, contemplating an answer to giveto 2UE, Australia, in 1949.Source: Kiwi BlakeTwo 1982 forwards, Miah Melsom and Paul Tuoro, pose on the 1982 Tour of Wales and Spain.Source: Bruce HemaraForwardsMäori forwards have a long tradition of being tough, hard men,capable of matching it with the best of them in the lineout, scrum,maul and ruck. Yet despite being good at close quarters it is expectedthat Mäori forwards will demonstrate added dimensions: being ableto play like a back, to throw long passes, to sidestep and to drop-kickwhen required. Mäori rugby has had no shortage of forwards able toplay in this manner.Kent Lambert is on the charge against Fiji, 1973.Source: Kent LambertSource: Karl French–1946New Zealand Māori play for the first timesince the outbreak of World War II, againstAustralia at Palmerston North. New ZealandMāori win 20-0.Source: Kiwi Blake–1948Tour of Fiji. They win the test series, 2-1.Source: Marriner WhÄnau–1949Tour of Australia, drawing the test series withone a piece. Following the tour, one spectatorwas so enamoured with the efforts of coachTom French, he presented a cup in his honour.The cup is still presented to the best Māoriplayer each year. The All Blacks leave for SouthAfrica, again without Māori present.TE PUNI KÖKIRI | KÖKIRI | Höngongoi – Hereturiköka 201015