THE ALL BLACKS.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 January 1925, Page 3

THE ALL BLACKS.

AUBTIIALf AJS AND N.Z. (A BUS ASSOCIATION. X KAY SIM I’Ml’S’ TRIBUTE. (Received this day at 9.25 a.in.) KOXDON’, January -I. The newspapers generally pay a. tribute to the All Blacks’ unbeaten record . The “Observer” expresses the hope that they will soon return, and regrets a small section of the spectators booing. which j.s most undesirable in contests between the Motherland and the Dominions. MU DEAN'S STATEMENT. LONDON, January •!. Mr Dean in a, special interview said: “It is felt the referee made a mistake. Neither the referee. Wakefield nor any .English player questioned regarding the alleged kicking can name the player kicked. Brownlie’s denial of the allegation is supported by the rest of the New Zealand team. It is felt a grave injustice has l>oon done to Brownlie and the unfortunate- occurrence lias cast a gloom over the whole party notwithstanding their meritorious victory.” AN AUSTRALIAN TRIBUTE. (Received this day at 10.215 a.rnA SYDNEY, Jan. 5. The “Herald” in a leader on the All Blacks, says:— This final defeat of England by the All Blacks rounds off in a most appropriate fashion for the winners a remarkable sequence of achievement.

These young New Zealanders who wore babies when Gallagher and bis stalwart followers electrified the British public by their brilliant exposition of the great national pastime, have done even bettor than their predecessors. The team of twenty years ago won every match but one. 'flic team today emerges from the tour without suffering a defeat, and with winning margins, which, in many cases, eclipse those recorded in the victories of the cider generation, ft has a been a great performance and while players who have proved their mettle in this devastating wav richly deserve congratulations, their country must surely Ho

complimented on having this convincing evidence of the splendid stamina oT its youth. There may he a convincing explanation of the comparatively feeble reaction of British Rugby to the challenge from overseas. At any rate scores of attempts to find an explanatory formula have already been made and" many additional efforts of n similar character limy be awaited with confidence. The succeeding explanations will probably turn upon the pustulated decadence of the standard among British players, but this is quite improvable and possibly sheer nonsense. The more simple explanation, therefore, and not improbably the more rational one, is that the New Zealander has evolved a- higher standard because be plays the game with keener zest, and what is of greater, importance, he plays it unanimously, so to speak. From one end of New Zealand to the other, wherever a couple of goalposts unn bo hoisted, football is played with enthusiastic vigor. Hence, at all times, the New Zealanders have boon the most formidable opponents in the Rugh.v field. The Rugby game lias flourished there exceedingly, not only among people of British birth or extraction, but among the native race also. Ihe Maoris took to the game from the earliest days and they have played it with line skill and snodtsmanshin. Many of the greatest players of Ilughy have been Maoris. Perhaps the most consummate master of the code New Zealand lias ever bad was the hair caste wlio practically revolutionised the practices and customs of bis time by introducing principles from which successive combination of All Blacks have never departed. A vaulable feature about most games is that they call for pluck, endurance, patience, sacrifice and co-pcrntion in tea hi. work. This is what, makes Rugby so fine a game and the New Zealanders have perfected its practice almost entirely through the stimulation oi team spirit and by directing individual effort towards strengthening the combined endeavours.

Hit INGE’S GOOD INTENTIONS. LONDON. January 4. It. is learned that tlic I’l'inre ol Wales, <losii‘i n<4 the heal the bitterness caused by the incident, inquired whether it was possible for Brownlie, to resume at half-time but the laws of the game are inexorable. The suggestion that the All Blacks play an All British side, including Scotland after their return from Paris is gaining strength, as a means of wiping out the unpleasantness caused by the incident; and also the Scotland boycott. M. BROWNLIE'S GREAT EFFORT. LONDON. January 4. An English ex-Captain (A. E. 0. ■Brown) says both, sides committed faults, but unfortunately, Brownlie was the offender who, after the teams were warned, pnid the penalty, which was accepted in a. spirit of sportsmanship. Commander Turner, of the Naval Ruggerites, snvs that he has been connected with rugger for twenty-one years and has never saw a man sent off the field before. The occurrence was opposed to the host interests ol the game. The “News of the World’’ dramatically relates that Maurice Brownlie scoring the first try in the second half knocked out the English hopes, when Maurice, receiving the ball on the spot where his brother received 1 1 is marching orders sunk his head on his shoulders and charged bull fashion for the line. Ho was repeatedly tackled, hut shook off his opponents like a mastiff would shake off terriers. The crowd frenziedly cheered his effort. WAKEFIELD’S LOST OPPORTUNITY. LONDON, annarv 4. The All Blacks, interviewed at their hotel this afternoon, were in the host of spirits. An official said lie was surprised to see Brownlie sent off. Obviously there were frequent encounters oil both sides and a. little more elasticity would have prevented the regrettable occurrence which has not helped the spirit of Imperialism and he was the last to think that any man on the field desired it. Tn that connection Brownlie felt it most. Indeed, he had little other grievance. The Official opined that Wakefield lost a glorious opportunity of pleading on behalf of Brownlie, though Wakefield told him he had never heard of such a precedent. The official added that honest unin-

tentional knocks must he expected in such a match. TTe emphasised tlyn Brownlie was thoroughly honest and truly a. fine sportsman. He repeatedly denied any deliberate action or malice.

THE FRENCH GAME. PATHS, January 4. Much interest is being taken in the visit- of the All Blacks. TJio 'French fifteen against the All Blacks at Colombos is a sensibly different team to that against Ireland on the Ist. Onlv Chilo, Janrrcguy, Besson. Duma. Oir and Muroet. have been re-elected to play on the Ilt.li; hut the principal interest is attached to the match at Toulose on the 18tli January against <«■ French national team to he chosen after the match at Colombes, which, probablv will closely resemble the team against Ireland. After doing the sights of Paris the All Blacks will visit the battle front on Wednesday and Thursday and place a tablet on the grave of Sergeant Gallagher, they will train on. Friday, rest on Saturday and arrive ta Toulouse on the evening of the 12th., when they will spend a ween in training and sightseeing. Colonel Bnmton, of Northumberland

will l>e-referee in the match at Coloinhes and Major AVilkins, of London, in match iit r !cm louse. It is estimated the visit ''ill cost four hundred thousand franes, whereof 250,000 are in connection with the visiting team, including 150,000 which is the French Rugby Federation’s quota of the cost of the voyage to New Zealand.