ALL BLACKS’ TOUR

Hokitika Guardian, 7 September 1928, Page 2

ALL BLACKS’ TOUR

ALL BLACKS SAIL. A WONDERFUL SEND-OFF. (Special to Press Association). (Received this dav at 9.3 C a.m.) CAPETOWN, September 6. “ \ A wonderful farewell was given the All Blacks,when they went aboard ship to-day. Cheering crowds swarmed tho wharf in a great tribute to the popularity of tho New Zealanders. The most popular man on the All Blacks side was Andy Mercer, tlio trainer, who, with a genial personality, won the hearts of all with whom lie came in contact. Ho was given many handsome presents from the lifelong friends he has made in South Africa. Tlio whole of the All Blacks side was showered with trinkets which will commemorate tho wonderfully memorable 1928 tour.

FAREWELL MESSACE. BY AFRICAN BOARD. AND ALL BLACKS MANAGER. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m). CAPETOWN, September 6. Mr A. J. Punara (President of the South African Rugby Board) publishes the following message from the Board: “ VVliat the Board appreciates specially is the ready manner in which the New Zealand team fell in with our arrangements. Their playing of the first and last matches are instances of the generous sporting spirit with which they met us. We wish them all a happy homeward voyage and a safe return, and we trust they will carry with them pleasant recollections of their strenuous time in South Africa. Their visit lias aroused, in an unprecedented manner, interest in our game. All our unions have derived a benefit in mutal interest in our respective countries, and I trust friendships have also been stimulated.”

Mr Hornig (manager o'f the All Blacks) interviewed on the eve of sailing, said: “The tour has been an uu, _ qualified success. The result of the \tests was most happy: He said lie was looking forward to the time a few years hence, when the issue would bo settled in a great game before a great crowd at Athletic Park in Wellington. He was of the opinion that an even division of honours in the list was a fine thing for the game in both countries. Jt provides a stimulus to Rugby which is better than an indisputable supremacy. .Although the All Blacks were prepared for hard games, the matches turned out to he even more_ arduous than they at first thought. The result of the strong opposition they encountered was that they liad forsake the style of forward play gen- ; era I in New Zealand, for the solid scrummaging game customary here, and it was only halfway through the _ tour that they really settled down to the type of play necessary. It is a compliment to our forwards, that under the circumstances that they, finally able to hold their own with tho Springbok pack and secure an even division of the tests.”

Mr Hornig concluded by expressing regret that they were leaving, hut lie hoped they had forged a small link in the chain-of Empire. He assured N South Africans of a warm reception ~V .when they again toured New Zealand.