THE ALL BLACKS

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 45, 16 November 1907, Page 3

THE ALL BLACKS

Sir, —It gavo mo genuine pleasure to read the account of the enthusiastic reception that Leeds gave to our professional "All Blacks" football team. As a lad from Leeds I could picture,the scene/as 1 was one of the crowd who welcomed the amateur team in 1905 at Durham. Leeds, as everyone knows, is a good sporting city, and it does not make any dilferencc between professional or amateur players-; there is no prejudice. • I think it a piece of unfairness on the part of Mr. Palliser, of the Agent-General's- Office (if it is true], in informing the press thai it is a "phantom" team. How does lie know? It lias turned out —and I am "sure: all true sportsmen are glad—to .be the reverse. I think from' what I have read since it was first proposed to send a "pro." team Home that the amateur officials of Now Zealand are a very childish lot. - They were simply afraid that a team got together by someone outside their jurisdiction would and do as well as they did. This, team is doing better, as they are meeting quite a different class altogether to what the amateurs did. Tho schoolboys out'here could "lick"'most Amateur Itugby Union Clubs at Home. I am a..great admirer of both codes of football, and it is the only thing that I missed when- I came out here. I have seen one match in the two years that I have been here, viz.-, Marlborough v. Nelson, at Bleu-, heim, and T never saw a worse game. I expected to see something better. It was "no class." It shows; however,- that: New Zealandors can play football when they can gp ■•Home and do as tho representatives of the Dominion aro .doing at present. I have truly been astonished, as I have read the results, from time to time, at the "pros'."'victories. lam now convinced that, taking the Ilufiby game, New Zealand- can- beat the wide world. I was ashamed of the victories, and felt quito humiliated, when such a loud shout was made • hero after the amateurs came' back. I always like to see tho best win, but England was nob truly represented at Rugby in 1905-6. If the "pros." do not win another match they are worthy foes, and all who see them at Home, will get good value for their money. You can't- get anything for nothing nowadays. Why should one? In conclusion, I must say, without prejudice, understand, Jo the amateurs, that the "pros.",'are playing the best i" England, and, win or lose, deserve tho credit that tho sportsmen of the Dominion can bestow upon them. Cannot you give, the attendance at the matches in your reports?—l am, etc.,,,

. '!YORKSHIRE TYKE." Feilding, November 13.