THE SPRINGBOKS

Grey River Argus, 21 September 1937, Page 2

THE SPRINGBOKS

Visit to Rotorua THIRD TEST HOPES. [Per Press Association], ROTORUA, September 20. Members of the Springboks team arrived at Rotorua yesterday by car from Gisborne, and will remain here until Wednesday, when they leave for Auckland, in preparation for the third and final test. All the members are fit and at their own, request, they are to be allowed complete freedom front official functions. Last evening, however, they attended a Maori welcome, when opportunity was taken to make presentations of Maori gifts, and a Maori concert programme was presented. AUCKLAND, September 20. “My attention has been drawn to a statement I was alleged to have made at Gisborne, and which has appeared in the Press, that I regarded the outcome of the third Test as a certain victory for the Springboks,” said Mr. Percy W. Day manager of the South African Rugbj' team, upon arrival at Auckland, before leaving by the Aorangi to-morrow for Australia, en route to South Africa. “I said no such thing. On the contrary, I recognise that it is going to be a very hard game, and that the result is doubtful. I am hopeful but not confident that our team will win. However, I know that the Springboks will make a very great attempt to take away the Rugby ashes. I trust this final Test match will be played in the spirit which should prevail at such contests, and I hope the exhibition will be one which will please the thousands of spectators at Eden Park. May the better side win. I shall be listening in very intently, in Sydney.” Before the Auckland-Wellington Rugby match was played N. A. Mitchell (Southland) played at the request of the New Zealand selectors for the second division representatives against Navy, the former winning by’ 36 points to 18. Mitchel played brilliantly and settled doubts about whether his injured thigh muscle had recovered. Whangarei cricketers are making an effort to arrange a one-day cricket match with the Springboks, who will play their final game in New Zealand at Whangarei on September 29. As the Springboks will arrive on the’ Monday following the third test, it is suggested that a cricket match be played on the Tuesday. Mr. C. H. G. Hedditch (President of the Whangarei Cricket Association) has written to the Springbok manager, suggesting a match, which, it is felt, would be a pleasant interlude for the Springboks, and a fine start for the new season locally.

MR. DAY FAREWELLED. AUCKLAND, September 20. Aftei’ the main body of the All Blacks arrived at Auckland, thi* morning, to go into training at Takapuna for the final Test, they participated in a pleasing gesture, when they foregathered at the Hotel Cargen to farewell Mr. Percy Day, Manager of the Springboks. Mr. Arthur Baker, Chairman of the Auckland Union, said he had been asked by the New Zealand Rugby Union to wisn Mr. Day a safe and pleasant return to his own country. Mr. J. T. Burows, who was a member of the 1928 All Blacks in South Africa, and is manager of the final Test team, spoke of the happy relations between the players on both sides and the personal regard of the All Blacks for Mr. Day. Mr. W. J. Wallace, who scored 367 points for New Zealand between 1903 and 1908 presented Mr Day with a rug, on behalf of the New Zealand Union. To the accompaniment of musical honours. Mr. Day, replying said he had greatly enjoyed his visit to the country, whose victorious Army team in Britain he had the pleasure of piloting through South Africa in 1919. Speaking of the final Test, his parting wish was “May it be played In the real spirit of the game, and may the better team win.’’’