The Hawera Star MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1924. INTERNATIONAL RUGBY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 15 September 1924, Page 4

The Hawera Star

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1924. INTERNATIONAL RUGBY.

Delivered every evening fiy 8 o’clock in Hawera, Manaia. Normanby. Okaiawa,. Eltl^am, Fateo, Waverley, Mokoia, Whakaniara, Ohanga<, Mereraere. Fraser Road, and Otakeuo Menutabi, Alton, Barleyville, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Awatuna, Opunake,

It is probable that since the first All Black team went Home nearly'two decades ago, no result has been awaited with greater keenness than that which was received yesterday recording the score in the opening match of the tour of the New Zealanders. With the series of trial matches played before the final selection was made, enthusiasts from all par.ts had a much better chance of seeing in action the great players from other provinces, and this undoubtedly served to create a closer personal interest in those players than is possible Avhere the selection is made on form only in matches in their, respective provinces. This has probably created an even keener interest in the individual players than would have been the case were they known solely by names and reputation. That the team won the opening match was, of course, not unexpected. That the score was only eleven points to the good is explained in the cable message. Devon is stronger than was expected, .judging from recent reports, and the All Blacks hardly played up to form." Comparisons in results are, as has been proved time and- again, no criterion of quality, but it is interesting to recall that the team’s forerunners opened their victorious and , memorable tour with an overwhelming victory of over fifty points to nil, almost a cricket score. There is little doubt the fact that the present score was comparatively small will serve to give other counties who may be reckoned stronger than Devon more confidence in meeting the New Zealanders, and certainly will make the people of the Dominion realise that Rugby has progressed a good deal of recent years in Britain. The fillip given by the 1905 tour resulted in a considerable development. The war hit Rugby hard in England, as it did in all English speaking countries. It has, however, been apparent for some time that the sport has been fast recovering, and the result of the first match appears to bear this out. Tin further results will be awaited with very keen anticipation. But whatever they may be, New Zealand will be satisfied if her boys, as we all believe they will, play the game on. and off the field, and so maintain unsullied the name which in sport as in war was gained during the last generation, and which undoubtedly is a great and valuable asset to the nation. The team will do its best to put up a great record, but its predecessors set a very high standard and their record will take a lot of beating. But whatever the results of the matches the tour should do much good for the Dominion and help to make it better known in the Motherland.