WELLINGTON GREETS SPRINGBOKS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 171, 6 August 1937, Page 9

WELLINGTON GREETS SPRINGBOKS

-Preaa Association.)

Enthusiastic Crowd at Station "TOO MANY RECEPTIONS"

(By Telegraph-

[ WELLINGTON, Last Night. A large qrowd at the Wellington railWay station to-day enthusiaslically greeted the Springboks. The crowd pressed toward the edge of the platx'orm as the train drew in, and it was necessary to form a lane for the party when it alighted. The visitors ieit immediately for their hotel after each ono had spoken briefly into the microphone. At 5.30 p.m. they were given an official welcome by the Wellington Eugby Union. There will be a Government reception at Parliament House at II a.m. to-morrow and a civic reception in the Town Hall at 5 p.m. The forrner gathering should prove unique in that there will be present a representative of every Eugby football team which has represented New Zfealand. Mr. P. W. Day, manager of the teain, in an interview, was loth to discuss the prospects of the team in the Tests. "We are not in the habit of boosting ourselves," he said, "although, of course, we are going to play to win.'He deprecated such statements as that made by Mr. J. L. Sullivan, the Taranaki captain, to the effoct that it was doubtful whether the Africans on their present form would beat the All Blacks. "It is not in the best interests of the game for one side to make statements of that sort," said Mr. Day. "Mr. Sullivan is young, I suppose, and will learn better." The team had iound its New Zealand games hard; in fact, drastic, Mr. Day continued. The oppositiou was much stronger than in* Australia. c They were beaten by New South Waies becauso the team had no opportunity in the preceding matches to test its strength against real opposition. 1 In New Zealand the games were hard and the Test was going to be hardei than them all. It was more essential than ever for the men to look after 5 themselves. Du Toit would not be fit for some time yet. Broodryk and Fanie Louw were improving, while Watt had no ill-effects after his game on Wednesday. To-night the visitors were the guests of the Wellington Boxing Association at the Town Hall. A training run will be held at Athletic Park to-morrow al'ternoon, but probably only those not taking .part in Saturday 's match will turn out. - "While we are very grateful for your hospitality, I would like to point out ^ :■ that these receptions are becoming far too many for us to entertain," said Mr. P. W. Day, manager of the Springboks, replying to an address of welcome tonight at the official welcome of the Wellington Rugby Union. "The men have to play football, and it is necessary for them to do a certain amount of training. Some of them are not too fit yet. However, I must thank ' you again for your friendship and hospitality. -We had a drastic time in Australia and so far a pretty rough time in New Zealand. We have yet to play 13 or 14 more games in this country, which does not leave us much time to ourselves. "We hope you will' not be disappointed with the game we hope to play — n gentleman's and a sporting game."