FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 December 1927, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

ALL BLACKS TOUR. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association. (Received this dav at 8.50 a.m.) CAPETOWN. Dec. 15. As the tour of the All Blacks draws nearer, intense interest is being increasingly aroused. It is already predicted that none of the South African grounds will lie able to bold the crowds hoping to see the tests. Already applications are pouring into the Rugby Board from remotest towns in the back veld, leading Rugby experts are of opinion that the All Blacks’ team is about the world’s strongest combination and the strongest side ever picked against South Africa. This view is confirmed in a six-columns heading today in the " Cape Times.” which asks whether the selection of the Springboks is to be by a selection committee or captain. It is emphasised that tlie Selection Committee would naturally select a captain, who in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred would invite the matured wisdom of the present most notable Selection Committee.

Paddy C’arolin, international Springbok half-hack deprecates innovations and asserts; “ We have a hard row to hoe. Let us carry on as we have done in the past and rely on the ability of our representatives to win through. We are entering the greatest trial of strength we have ever undertaken. Special endeavours must he made to select the team at the earliest date. If we fail it will be because we are beaten by a better side.”