THE ALL BLACKS.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 November 1925, Page 3

THE ALL BLACKS.

PLAY ANALYSED. “LONDON, Septi 22. It is natural that Wisdcu’s Rugby Football Almanack should contaip a good deal concerning the All Blacks’ tour in this country. The notes by tbe editor deal almost exclusively with tho subject. Tbe chapter, “Biographies.” gives an account of George Nepia’s and Marcus Nicbolls’s careers, along with those of I>. Dryslale (Scotland), M. Sugden (Ireland), and R. IF. Hamilton-Wickes (England). Some fifty pages are devoted to the details of the matches played by tbe New Zealand team, and Mr T. A. Fletcher (New Zealand Football Union) contributes an article entitled “Why New Zealand Won,” in which be explains tbe successful methods of tbe All Blacks especially in regard to back play. “Nothing particularly new,” says the editor of tbe Almanack, “apart from the bjg advantage to be derived from an ingenious use of tbe (ire-eighths formation, did the New Zealanders introduce into their play. Strength, pace, condition, straight running, sure, quick, close handling, strong backing up in attack, sound covering in defence. vigorous tackling. accurate kicking, and, above all. combination were the factors that gave them their record. In all these directions they certainly rose to great heights, and while few other teams may have possessed all these essentials of Rugby football in such a marked degree, the importance of them and tbe necessity for cultivating them have long been recognised is this country as well as in other parts of tbe world. I bat our men did not display these qualities to anything like tbe same extent as the New Zealanders must bo frankly admitted.”

FUTURE TOURS. Tbe editor refers to New Zealand’s desire for a British team to visit tbe Dominion. “The New Zealand Union.” be savs. ‘‘were anxious for tbe visit of a British team next summer or in 1327. but I*l vo been informed that no such undertaking can bo arranged for either year. In view of tbe experience over the tour in South Africa in 1924 tin* Home Unions certainly could not entertain tbe proposal with any hope of getting together a side capable of really extending the New Zealanders England, Scotland. Ireland, ami TV tiles were all invited to furnish players for the team visiting South Africa, and vet. so numerous were tbe refusals, that in-tbe eiid they bad to be content: with a body of men who. although in most eases players of some distinction, could not be really described as reall) representative. II There was all the this trouble in sending a team to South Africa what can be tbe prospect ol getting together a side to make the far longer voyage to New Zealand:-* In these days tbe percentage of firstclass players who can take a six months holiday is very small and tbe number seems scarcely likely to grow in the immediate future. In the circumstances it is satisfactorw to learn that France may send a team to New Zealand in 1927 and that New Zealand expects to pay a return visit to South Africa in 1928. These arrangements, if carried through, will obviate any need for a British side to go nui to (New Zealand Indore 1929." WHERE THE TEAM EXCELLED. In the introduction to the detailed account of (lie tour the individual play of the members of I lie New Zealand team i- commented upon, besides tbe tbe general work ol tin* combination. "So finely did the New Zealanders acquit themselves upon nearly every occasion.’’ says tbe writer, that it was a matter of much regret that they bail no match with Scotland—the winner of the International Championsliip— and that England in making scarcely any preparation for tbe contest at Tirkeiiham. should have courted disaster. Still the absence of a fixture with Scotland aml the strange course adopted by the English aiithoi.H i,.- did not detract- from the glorious achievement of the tourists in winning twenty-eight-—or it the games in France are included, thirty*—matches off the reel. At all points they were admirably equipped. They bad great strength, which they put to telling use. and a capital turn of speed in nearly every instance, and they were always in splendid condition. while tbe team work excited general admiration. Particularly noticeable was this last quality in tbe backing up in attack. any man who got away being always certain of finding two or three colleagues close at band to whom to pass directly be found himself in difficultv, while in times of pressure the covering of the back in trouble by tbe other outsides was so prompt and sure as to form an almost impregnable wall. Outsa tiding, too, in the drivng force of tbe side was the way in which a ill aver nearly always gained ground before parting with the ball, the straight running of the centres that, avoided any boring of tbe wings on to the touch line, tbe constant endeavour to keep tbe ball in play, and the quick, close, and accurate handling. Nothing, also, could have been more effective than the smothering tackles, while most of the men kicked with power and iu , curaoy. ,,