ALL BLACKS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 October 1924, Page 3

ALL BLACKS.

TEAMS COMPARED

11)2-1 A'ERSI'S H'2s

IL'STIIALIAN ANI) N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION LONDON, October Hi. The “Daily Mail" says that the All Blacks have now completed one-third of their engagements, and iho question is being asked everywhere whether they are superior to the original All Blacks. It is difficult to Hilly estimate Hie relative merits of the two learns. The English game lias changed so considerablv. The present opposition is mill'll stronger than that cJlercd to Gallagher's team, ulio were the pioneers that ievolutiimis.*(l the Knglisli game. Thanks to the lessons they have learned. .England’s players are now in a better posit ion to com,bat the piescnt combination of star players. whose* game is faster and more open than oars. Tile elder critics still believe that the original All Blacks were the finest side that ever took the field. 'I lie present All Blacks, ucvcrtlicless aie magnificent. They possess weight, pace* and cleverness: but. frankly, they an* not the equal of their predecessors. Their pick is powerful, and clever in the liicse; but it does not excel ill the* scrums. Cooke inst tails in being a replica el" 11 mite: the liuest liveeight bs of all lime. 'Pin* pie cat All I'Jacks do not run as .straight as did Robert -. Smith and Stead. I la* newcomers .in* noteworthy prs-essing Nepia. who compares with the Lest, fall back ever capped in any country. It will take a powerful team to lower the colours ol til** All Blacks,