All Blacks And The South African Trip

Chronicle (Levin), 15 March 1949, Page 6

All Blacks And The South African Trip

Press Association)

(Per

WELLINGTON, March 14. The New Zealand Rugby Union has decided to defer |or a further week the fixing of final assembly arrangements for the All Blacks. All unions are to be advised, however, that the team will be assembletl in Wellington for five days before the ship 's departure and , that this assembly may begin on April 7. An executive of the N.Z.R.U. went tjhis far today after hearing a repori from the manager of the team Mr J. B. Parker, and provided, plans for the Tamaroa, at Auckland went aecording to, schedule. It was stated there wouid be nothing to prevent. the ship leaving on April '13, but the shipping authorities would not be able to give definite advice for a week in view of the circumstances prevailing at the port of Auckland. Departure on April 13 would give the team adequate time for training in South Africa, said Mr Parker. Any delay, however, would mean more training at this end. While in Wellington the players will be outfitted, attend official functions, and have training sessions. If possible the instructional film which had to be dropped two seasons ago because of continual unfavourable weather, will be taken. The paxty will leaye Wellington iu time. 'to have: one full day in. Auckland, before embarking. The. meeting of the jfeouncil of the N.Z.R.U. will :be held Lluring the assembly period for the team and the annual -meeting will be on- May 5. In view of the early tour of Australia by the Maori All Black team and the fact that the new. Maori advisory boar'l was yet to be set up, it was decided to point out to all unions within the new ■grouping of Maori distriets, of the need for calling for nominations for N.Z. Maori selectors at an early date.