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Hokitika Guardian, 29 May 1928, Page 2

Thu All Blacks have now arrived in South Alien, and this week will see them in action. There has been much discussion about the opening mulch, but despite a late arrival at the deciding ground, the game is to lie played. This is as it should lie. The right spirit has been shown, and will lie appreciated. It would appear that the English tour of the All Blacks, successful though it was, was marred in the opinion of Hie Home public, by the zeal with which the visitors tried to win' all their matches. They put up that wonderful record. . but somewhat at the expense of what was regarded as sportsmanship at Home. However, a good start is to he made in South Africa, and unmindful of the result, the team will take the field on Wednesday. The qualms of fear of defeat- in some quarters suggest tliaL the All Blacks are up against a considerable [imposition in South Africa. This should Ikj all for the betterment of the contests. The record of tho All Blacks has not alarmed their opponents who are ready to meet them, and many quidnuncs are- predicting the New Zealand team will meet its Waterloo. It has to ho borne in mind that the South African team which toured New Zealand some few years ago was no mean opponents, and the games produced some large propositions—this though New Zealand had tho opportunity to produce its licst team. The Leant now abroad was selected with great cti.ro, and there will lie every confidence in it. It is the best team that could lie produced in all the circumstances, and that being so, wo must abide by the result. Alter all it is only a game that is to he played, and the best way to emulate in the s)Kirt. is not always by winning, but by showing a true spirit of sportsmanship and playing the game. Rugby in New Zealand, in some quarters lias been rather remarkable of late lor its roughness. That should not be. The game is becoming faster, of course, hut there have hooti incidents cl deliberate roughness. All such offences should be dealt with severely, for the right spirit of the game, as a game, must he upheld. The football news from South Africa ibis week will be awaited with interest, hut above all it is hoped that the news will convey the pleasing information that in all clashes the All Blacks played the game and worthily upheld the name and reputation of New Zealand overseas.