THE ALL BLACKS.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 December 1924, Page 3

THE ALL BLACKS.

ALL BLACKS OPINION. (“Sydney Sun” Cables). (Received this day at 11.25 a.m.) ■LONDON, November 30. The “Daily -Mail’’ interviewed members of the All Black team, who expressed themselves as delighted at having defeated AVales. They expected a more severe test against England. If the ground is fairly dry they declare the English hacks will develop their own tactics, whereas the M'elsh insides mainly endeavoured to frustrate the beginning of the All Blacks movements from the scrums. They anticipate a hard game against Llanelly on Tuesday and also againsts Combined Services on December 13th. Almira has recovered and will he playing shortly. The first question the rescued miners at Diiuvant asked was, “MTio won?” They spent much of the time of the two days they were entombed, in discussing AY ales’ prospects. AFTER 19 YEARS.

(Received this day at 11.25 a.in.) LONDON, November 30.

All the world knew the All Blacks had been waiting nineteen years to avenge the historic defeat by AVales. Anyone seeing them enter the field at Swansea must have felt there are fifteen champions realising the great day bail arrived. If football fervour and religious rapture of the immense crowd produced any terrifying clfect on the All Blacks, they showed no symptom of it but walked on to the ground us if unaware of the crowds existence. The crowd sang hymns and patriotic airs with a wonderful musical effect, for no crowd in the world can sing like the AA'elsh. The emotions reached a climax when the red jerseys came into view. They were greeted with “ The M,arch of the Ali n of llarleeh” sung with extraordinary gusto, hut surpassed by “ Land of our Fatliers,” when the entire fifty thousand spectators rose and bared their heads. The visitors began with admirable steadiness and soon got into llicir stride. They were masters to the end. AVales gave the crowd a thrill occasionally when their forwards swept down the field with the hall at their toe, hill, the All Blacks invariably stemmed the onrush. The crowd encouraged the AA'elsh men with inspiring songs alternated with epithets hurled at the All Blacks, and hooting of the referee.

NEB IA AND NICHOLES.

(Received this day at 12.30 p.m.) LONDON. Dec. 1.

’l'lie newspapers comment strongly mi the unnecessary vigor of Saturday’s match. They also reprove the crowd for had sportsmanship and hostility towards the referee.

The critics iiiiam'inously pay a tribute to Nieholls, whom they describe as the brains of the All Blacks. They are united ill their admiration ol Nepal's display. THE FRENCH TOUR. RARIS. November 30. The Fr,•ncli Rugby Federal ion is bearing expenses of the visit ol the All Blacks, and authorising the team to proceed to I' ranee by air. It is arranged that the All Blacks will depart from Croydon aerodrome for Raris in lour aeroplanes on the (>th of January. They will visit the battlefields, phice wreaths on graves in the New Zealand cemeteries on the bth and play a match against Baris at Baris on the 11th ol •I :ui ii nrv. Tl i*y will lour tho Pyrenees. Then* will lie a match against All France at, Toulouse, on the l s Gi "I January. The team leaves Baris on the l.ltli January en route to Liverpool where 1 1,.v embark for Canada oil the 21th January.