THE ALL BLACKS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 December 1924, Page 4

THE ALL BLACKS.

AVITH TIIE TEAM. AA’riling from England after the match in Ireland a member of the team says:— THE IRISH MATCH. “ AVe had a good clean game against Ireland. AVe had heen told that they would kick anything in sight, hut they proved good, clean, hard players. We held the upper hand in all departments except line kicking. In that respect they absolutely excelled. 1 think we got the hall from 90 per cent of the scrums, and, although their eight men were as heavy, if not heavier than our seven, we pushed them all over the paddock. If the weather had been fine and the ground lidding, I have no doubt we would have put up 20 or JO points. The ground was packed, and I should imagine that 18,000 out of the 22,000 spectators who were present were not under cover, and must have heen drenched to the skin, yet not olio of them Inured until the game ended. At night the Irish Rugby Union treated us a fine champagne dinner. The mail who presided was Harry Thrift, an old international who played against the 190-3 team.

CONCERNING THE PLAYERS. “Jim Barker is playing very good loot hall, hut, of course, is up against a still proposition in (lid Porter, although the latter is not playing so well as lie did in Australia. I think the worry and responsibility of the captain’s position has put him off his game a hit. lie injured his knee against Cumberland, and this prevented him playing in the test. Ron. Stewart was unlucky enough to get pleurisy two days before the Irish match. Cuppies replaced him. Al.’Gregor lias played some fine games, and, in my opinion, is not getting a fair go. lie is undoubtedly the best and most determined tackier in the team. Many of the hoys ns well as myself consider

that he will land the lug issue on January J. Robilliard wak the makings of a champion wing three-quarter, and would have gone far if lie had not injured his foot. If his footholds, it will he hard to keep him out of the test teams. Jack Steel has landed an injury in every match he has played in, and therefore it will he risky to play him in the big issues. “ Snowy ” Dailey is playing great football, and, barring accidents, must keep his place. Brian M’Clear.v lias played good games, and is more conscientious about his training than anv other man in the team. I do not know whv they turn him down so often. lan Harvey has had a still' run landed lonsilitis some five weeks ago. was operated on, and a week after the operation his throat turned septic, lie is still in hospital, hut is now convalescent, lie lias lost about a stone and halt. Masters will not he sorry when llarvev is lit again, as he has had In play in ten games running, and is now beginning to lecl a hit sore. “DAY OFF” AT NEW FORT. “ Yes, I bet the pessimists talked some when the results of the Devon and Somerset matches were published. The ground in each ease was very wet and slippery. It would have been impossible for ally learn. —not excluding the 1907. team—to put up 30 points on them. AVe struck a day off at Newport, and, to he quite candid, were very lucky to win. If Newport had played for safety, they had us boxed up. It gave us a big I right, and I don t think there will he any more ‘days off.’ 1 liojh* not, anyway.”