ALL BLACKS.
G. A ITKEX'S ADVICE. WELLING 1 OX. June JO. George Aitken, who was captain o» the New Zealand team in the lirst test against South Africa in JO'Jl, writes as follows from I’liglainl : -
am not trying to paint a black picture of our chances, hut am liieieIv pointing out the true state of affairs. Football is pretty good here j n>t now. ami l am wondering how our team is going to do next season, when it takes the field here. The team that von send will need to he the best available.
•'From your reports of the forward Play. I think we (Now Zealand will win lit that department; but what about the hacks? They will need to ho last and heavy, as the standard of hack play here, except in Wales, is high, and it is of no Use sending a ‘crook’ hack division. When i left New Zealand I was given to understand that the English players wer not very good exponents of the itughy game, hut .such is not the case. They have learnt a lot from Colonial teams.” Aitken expressed the opinion that the New Zealand wing forward will he able to check the back movements of opposing teams, hut points out that the All Blacks will need seining men to finish oil' their movements. Lie also makes a special point about, scrum play emphasising the fact that the rule regarding putting the hall into the scrum is strictly enforced at Home. The All Blacks, he considers, should hear in mind that the hall is not in the scrum until it has completely passed one man on each side. The same rule applied in New Zealand, tint it appeared to him that the referees at Home were more strict in their enforcement of the rule. “It will he a <•011(111101! light if we
nttemp-t to pack any other way. Still, tlint is a problem for our forwards, and I daresay they will find a solution.” Aitken states that he is looking forward to tlie visit of the team with great interest, and expresses the hope that this year's All Blacks will he as successful as the 1005 combination, mentioning that the latter is still spoken of in the Old Country. Aitken remarks: “Every time T go to Wales I get into an argument about Bean's fry."'
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Hokitika Guardian, 2 July 1924, Page 4
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393ALL BLACKS. Hokitika Guardian, 2 July 1924, Page 4
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