ALL BLACKS’ TOUR

Hokitika Guardian, 29 November 1928, Page 6

ALL BLACKS’ TOUR

-MANAGER'S REPORT. SCRUM FORMATION CONTROVERSY. (By Telegraph—Press Association). "WELLINGTON. November 28. A. meeting of the Management. Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union was held to-night. Mi- S. S. Dean presided, and there were also present; Messrs A. C. Kit to, M. S. Leith, .J. G. Roache, E. McKenzie, T. A. Fletcher, T. Taliiwi (Maori Advisory Board), E. Wylie. W. F. Ilornig, and A. E. Nil Ison (Secretary). Mr W. Ilornig. manager of the All Black team, presented his report. The trip to Sydney, he stated, from April Rltli to 17th, was rough. During the voyage the team did breathing exercises and phyisc.nl drill before breakfas),; scrummaging practice at 10.30, with a. team talk during the day. They arrived at Durban on May 23, receiving a wonderful reception; Capetown being reached by rail from there on May 281 h. The first match, played three days after arrival, was against a much stronger team than was expected, while* the succeeding match against Western Province town team was one of the hardest in the itinerary. These hard matches, coupled with very strenuous train travelling, were responsible for lack of form, and it was several weeks before the team really showed anything like New Zealand lorm. The change of altitude in the lour was a big factor, several o'f tin* team being very badly affected by the high altitude—bleeding at the nose and suffering in the lungs and throat, tin* slightest exertion making one feel tired. The All Blacks found the various teams met very strong, particularly in. the forwards, and with one or two exceptions, the best available* team had to be fielded, with, the result: that some of the players wen* showing signs of slaleness before tin* lour was completed. It. was invariably found that the team did not show anything like true form when played within three days alter a long train journey. Also an epidemic oif iniluenza went through the term early in the tour. in view of injuries, Mr Ilornig .suggested that tin extra back should lie sent next time. Hotel accommodation on the whole was excellent. Praise was bestowed on D. 11. Magennis, the South African Board’s representative, who toured with the team. The grounds were not as hard as expected. Most were well turfed, and others watered and softened specially. Air Ilornig stated it had been made quite clear on arrival in South Africa, that, the New Zealand team would have to accept the rulings of South African referees. The Lour in South Africa was treated as an affair of national importance. The conduct.of the team, said the* manager, was excellent from start to finish. They wore a credit to New Zealand, and were popular with everyone, and a very happy party; nut the slightest sign of dissens'on occurring to mar a very memorable and strenuous tour. The team left (.'apetown on September 7, after travell ng over 7000 miles by train, : and nearly 2000 by motor car. Mr S. S. Dean moved that the report 'from tin* manager of the team to South Africa be received, and that hi* be thanked for it. He considered Mr Ilornig was wrong when he stated that the conference between New Zealand and the English unions in 1t)24, and been abortive. Tin* New Zealand Union had a great deal to thank the English Union for. if they had any grievance it was against the Scottish and Irish Unions and the Internationa! Rugby Board. Air .J. (!. Roache considered that Clause four of the agreement drawn up between the New Zealand team and the South African Union, concerning the packing of the scrum, was contrary to the laws of the game. Mr Ilornig said that the South .‘ifrii-an referees allowed only one method of packing the scrum. They would not allow two bends to go down together. Mr 11. S. Leith: “It was tt case of when in Rome, you must do as the Romans do.” AI r Roache: “ft was contrary to the laws of the game.” Air l.eith: “It was ridiculous.” Air Ilornig: “ 1 do not think it was contrary to the - laws of the game.” Air Roache: “Abut show me where the rules state that the scrum must, not be formed that wav.” Mr F. AVylie: “Personally. I would not have signed any agreement.” Mr Dean: “ If you wore going upon another tour, would you sign another agreement?” Air Ilornig: “Certainly I would. It would not have made the slightest difference.” Mr Wvlie: “AYhat about the clause stipulating that the man who put tlu* ball in the scrum should he regarded as a half-back?” Air Ilornig: “In agreeing to that, we considered we. were safeguarding our wing-forward.” Afr Leith :. “ You were not. 1 don’t consider the South African referees had any right to contract us out of the laws of the game.” Mr Ilornig sahl that the serum formation in South -Ulrica was shocking. Often the hall would he put in eielit times before the referee was satisfied that it had been fairly put in. AH- Dean said lie did not consider that it was the right U ing to sign such an agreement. Still Afessrs Hornig, AI. Brownlie and AL Nicholls were there, and considered it was the pioper thing to do.” All* Hornig: “We signed the agreement in the interests of harmonious working on the tour.” Air Fletcher asked, if the South

African referees allowed the ball to go into the centre of the. serum bolero it was booked. .Mr Hornig: “Yes, they olten insisted upon the ball being put in as many as eight times, until it did go into the centre of the scrum.” .Mr Leith said that in nearly every country they' had different interpretations of the rules. The motion, to receive the report and thank the .Manager for it, was carried. It was decided to prut the report, and circulate it to aTbated unions, and the Soiiili African Rugby Hoard. On the* motion of Mr Dean, it was decided to thank the South Ailrican Hoard for the hospitality extended to the Xew Zealand team on the tour. Air Roach moved that the South African Rugby Hoard be informed that Clause 4 of the agreement entered into between the South African Hoard and tlie Xew Zealand team in was contrary to the laws ol the game. Air Wylie said that no body ol men had any power to alter the laws ol the game. They should he cardul not to let. this 19'2S agreement, he used as a precedent. -Mr AYylie contended that the Smith African Roa'd should he informed that the agreement had no power as it contravened Law 10. On his suggestion, Mr Roacn agreed to include this' -in his motion, ; id i> this form. Air Roadie’s roso.ufior was carried.