THE VEIL LIFTED.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5451, 22 July 1929, Page 4

THE VEIL LIFTED.

ALL BLACKS IN AFRICA;

SIDELIGHTS ON THE TOUR. ?

“The tour of the All Blackrteani in South Africa was very popular, but not to the extent that it would have been had initial mistakes not been made—the aloofness of the New Zea land captain, the unnecessary officiousness of the manager,l and the tactless mistake of keeping the Prime Minister and members of Parliament, also the Administrator of Cape Province, waiting for the country’s official welcoming luncheon.”

The above is an extract from a letter sent by a member of the South African Rugby Board to a well-known Rugby man in New Zealand, and incidentally the writer pulls the veil gently aside to give some inside history of the All, Blacks’ tour in the land of the Bok, likewise some pithy and-inter-esting remarks- on the game over there. . -

“When I examine the All Blacks’ tour,” says the writer, “I cannot but express my regrets .that the earlier attitudes adopted by Hornig and Brownlee were so unfortunate. Had the manager been an ( ordinafy ‘joker,’ and had Brownlie come off his perch from the commencement, what a tour it would have been ! Without doubt its popularity would have been second to none.

“Brownlie could have been the most popular fellow ever. I personally think him a charming fellow, and longed to pierce that reserve or barrier he seemed to possess. However, rest assured that the next team from New Zealand will have a splendid time here.”