THE ALL BLACKS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 February 1925, Page 1

THE ALL BLACKS.

VISIT TO FRANCE. Oil January 7th, “I,’Auto” describes the New Zealanders’ first day in Paris: - “ When yesterday morning they put their noses to the windows of their respective rooms in the Palais d’Or.say, les All Blacks ’ saw bright sunshine upon the calm waters of the Seine. They quickly forgot the fogs and tempests of England—-‘France, a line country, always sunny, siad they’ going downstairs. Kike English people who first land in France, the New Zealanders generalise. They may have been lucky with the fine weather. They decided to train at 10 o'clock, hut punctuality does not appear to lie their essential virtue, and it was not until midday that they met at the Pare des Princes, after having taken care to buy on the way a new ball, on which was inscribed by chance ‘New Zealand special,’ which amused them greatly. The team did not show much enthusiasm in training. Cooke and Nieholls remaining at the hotel, the brothers Brownlie smoked pipes while watching their comrades training. By contrast, the Maori Nopin, wearing a blue and bhuk jersey, showed magnificent ardour. ‘What a temperament!’ said the magnificent forward, Richardson, who sconced to direct the training. Another Maori. Racwai, by the side of whim the blonde Halley contrasted strangely, also showed fine ardour. The wing-l'onvard, Parker, with hair growing grey, although he is scarcely AS years, kicked and attacked. Nothing fait passes and kicks; the All Blacks seem to show a marked repugnance lor dribbling.” AT THE STATION.

“L’llitraiisigeant ” gives a lively account of a- conversation reported to have taken place at the station on the arrival of the team in Baris:

“ I go up to Xepia, the famous fullhack, who has not missed a single match in England and who has won the admiration of all the critics: ‘You arc satisfied with your tour ’ A cry satisfied, and 1 hope to.play in the two matches at Baris and Toulouse, for I have become acquainted with Drench, methods and players, of which I have hoard a great deal on the other side ol the* Channel.’ ‘Not flattering, ! expect.’ Nepia’s large coffee-coloured face expanded in a broad smile. He thus avoided compromising himself. ‘What do you think of the English methods?’ ‘A little too uniform. They lack combination and initiative. Their training is had. 1 A\ ho is, in vour opinion, the best player in Great Britain I’ ‘I don’t know, but the fastest runner is Gibbs, the wing three-quar-ter. If he had a little more decision.’ “ The great hack of the team is

Cooke. Imagine a young, fair athlete, tall, thin, intelligent, with hair brushed back. He is only 22 and plays in Auckland. His methods of attack have made a sensation everywhere. ‘What was your hardest match in Britain?’ ‘ln the forwards, against Ireland, hut, above all, against Oxford.’

“Here is Svenson. a well-made athlete; here is the forward Donald, with the large ears; here is the light -McGregor, and here the enormous Masters, the bronzed winger Steel, and Nieholls, with eyes half-closed in an arresting smile.” AT THE ARC l)E TRIOMPHE.

“12Intransigonnt” reports the speech of General Goiiraud, Military Governor of Paris, wlieui he received the New Zealanders after they had placed a wreath on the grave of the Unknown Warrior, where a flame burns perpetually: "In a few .sentences in simple words, as is customary with soldiers, the Governor first recalled that he had made the acquaintance of the New Zealanders at the Dardanelles. “The men I know there were firstclass soldiers and great sportsmen. Their discipline was worthy of every praise, and it is this quality which enables you to win so many fine victories on the playing-fields, it is with infinite pleasure that 1 see you again, the Aiy: aes having left an agreeable and imperishable memory with me. TO-DAY’S .MATCH. AUSTRALIAN' AND X. 7.. CABLE ASSOCIATION VICTORIA (B.C.f Feb. 10. Raewni has so far recovered that has been permitted to join the remainder of the team on route to Vancouver. It-is understood that the match next •Saturday will bo in the nature of an exhibition purely, since it is expected that members of the All Blacks will lie chosen on both sides, the teams being filled out with a few local men.