ALL BLACKS IN ENGLAND

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 194, 12 May 1919, Page 5

ALL BLACKS IN ENGLAND

, PAST AND PRESENT FORM COMPARED.

Comparisons, have boen mado between tho 'original "All Blacks" of 1905-G and the New Zealand military team at present playing in England (writes Lieutenant E. Booth, of the 1905-6 team, in the London "Daily Mail"). Several of these criticisms aTe rather unfair to the latter team, and I think, in fairness,to them, I should point out one or two things which will help the public to form a true estimate of the military team.

Possibly the greatest difference' between the two is that the original "All Blacks" arrived hero a complote team, while tho present side is as yet in the making. The original team was selected from thousands of very fit players after a series of trials.extending over tho two seasons of 1901-5, including inter-isla'nd as well as interprovinciiil games., After the team was selected we played against provinces throughout New Zealand.and three big "tests" in, Sydney. Thus we arrived here a "tried out" combination of old heads on yo'nnar legs, the pick of New Zealand football, and we travelled here in all comfort. '

The present military team, commonly known among tho Now Zealand rank and file as "Tho Diggers," on the other hand come over in transports, and some hrtve. been gassed nnd have' undergone the rough experiences of war.

■ Before the end of the inter-Army tourney, which. I think they can win, it is possible the team .will have a belter front rank than wo had in 1905-6. There are more reserves available, the men are much younger and heavier, but at present they seem lacking in tactics. They are in reality a-team of colte of great .possibilities, which, under the leaderehin (if such men as Stead, Wallace, and Gallaliei,, would soon 'develop.

The average man in Ihe street the present team to give pyrotechnic displays and cricket score wins the same as wo did. but ha does not; take into consideration the great improvement English Eitijby has made since then. English buck play has improved immensely, teams are no longer sleepy, and paralysing them with Indian, signs and Maori hnkas caniiot be done to-day. The old football (lii'tum that a team can only play as well as the other team lets it still holds good, and to-dnv the opposition is stronger than in 1905-6. especially in general knowledge of varieties of play. The present New Zealand team's only weakness in attack is in the centre, and this is being remedied. Personally, I am nroud of the side, and I do not doubt that they will worthily uohold the best traditions of New fit-aland football.