BIG JOB MEETING DEMAND OF ALL BLACKS

Chronicle (Levin), 14 April 1949, Page 5

BIG JOB MEETING DEMAND OF ALL BLACKS

Press Assoeiation)

(Per

ii.uCivL.AND, April 12. The front-row t'orward J. G. Simpson, who wears a size 11, has the biggest foot in the 1949. All Blac.k Rughy tpam. The sniallest feet are those of the liye eighths, N. MT. Black, who takes size 64. v Mr. L. Button, a member of the Auckland lirm of S. Button and Son. which has made football boots to. specilication for 25 members of the teain, said that some interesting variations had bucii xouud to obtaiu among members of the team. As an instance, R. W. H, Seott, the fullback, takes a size 6 right boot and a size 7 left. "He Ukes to feel the toe of his boot' up against his toes," Mi Button explained. The most exacting player was \V. A Meates, the wing three-quarter, \vho asked for two pairs of»the size 9} and with one pair ininus toe-caps. The Otago side-row t'orward, J. R. McNab, ordered a pair of 9 's much lighter than usual, with extra toe--width; the front-row t'orward, K. I. Skinner, asked for size 94 boots with out bars or sprigs, remarking that he wished to iit those |ijinse'lf; and Skin ner's fellow front-rovV ^prqp, ' the ;.vice--captaiu, R. A. Dalton, required size 9 boots built-up on the insides. Bome players .asked for seven sprigs to be fltted to their boots, but other.-, wunted fewer. One who, like Bkinner, preferred to attach his own sprigs, was I?\ li. A len, the captain. "Allen ordered only oue pair," Mr. Button revealed, "but he was so pleased with them that he ordered an other. We have made him a pair of calf-skin featherweights— almost ballei shoes. ' ' As with other equipment for the All Blaelts, every care iiqs been taken witi. the boots. If there are casualties, Mr, Button has to answer. ' '■ If replace ments are ne'eded, we will fly new boots to Eouth Africa, " he says. Considerable public interest was taken in members. of the 1949 All Black RugLy teani after their*arrival here to day. Them'were several hundred sp.ee tators at tlie civic farewell at the Towi. llall in the late afternoon. The team was farewelled at Government Hojist by the Governof-General, Bir Bernard Freyberg, V.C. The sailing of the team for South Africa in tlie Tamaroa to.morrow, has been put back until the evening.