THE ALL BLACKS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 January 1925, Page 3

THE ALL BLACKS.

TO-MORROW’S PROSPECTS. lUBTRALIAN AND N.Z. IABLE ASSOCIATION, LONDON. December 31. The greatest interest is being manifested throughout Britain in Saturday’s International football mutch. The English commentators are decidedly pessimistic regarding*the Home country’s chances of checking the New Zealanders’ unbeaten career at Twickenham. The ground is certain to be heavy after a week’s almost continuous rain. This fact lias bad the effect of somewhat reviving the English hopes. ft is acknowledged, ‘however, that the All Blacks can rise superior to conditions, and have demonstrated themselves equally proficient whether the ground is muddy or dry. The Now Zealanders are taking no chances to ensure eclipsing the 1905 record. The selected team is a most aggressive attacking side combining weight with pace and experience. A feature of the latter part of the tour is a marked improvement among the forwards, who are now up to the best New Zealand standard. The team is training assiduously at Deal. There i.s no suggestion of stalencss. The critics whole-heartedly pay a tribute to Nepia’s record; he playing in everv match.

Cooke and Nicholls have completely recovered from their injuries. The Prime Minister. Mr Baldwin, will probably preside at a complementary luncheon to the team. THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM. LONDON, January 1. The New Zealand team to play England will bo: Nopin, Steel Cooke Svenson Nielmlls McGregor Mill Parker Irvine Donald Al. Brownlie .Masters C. Brownlie Richardson White ■LONDON, December 31. The All Blacks will be entertained on .Ta mi ary 21st. at a unique valedictory luncheon. The hosts include loading figures of the past and present in every branch of amateur sport, indicating the appreciation of sportsmen throughout Britain of the New Zealanders. DEPARTURE FOR FRANCE. LONDON. Dec. 31. The All Blacks will fly to France on the fifth of January in four aeroplanes. The cars -vill make a detour over the French battlefields on route. CHANGE IN TEAM. (Received tHs day at 10.25 a.m.) LONDON, January I. In the English football team cabled on December 2sD, J. E. Giblm replaces Raymond. Raymond is still suffering from the effects of a. strain, which was responsible for bis retirement from the Loudon team lust week. Gibbs is brilliant in attack, but bis inclusion will be likely to accentuate the weakness of the backs. Price i.s doubtful. and Yo.vcc may be substituted. r l lie Prince of Whiles will attend the match. He will probably be accompanied by Prime Henry. SELLING OF TICKETS. (Received this day at. 11.25 a.m.) LONDON. January 1. The practice of selling tickets lor sporting events at a premium is regarded as specially objectionable by the Rugby Union which lias appealed to the tmrehasers ol: tickets from outside sources for Saturday’s match with the All Blacks at Twickenham to supply particulars to the Union who threaten drastic measures to stop the practice.