THE ALL BLACKS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2838, 27 January 1925, Page 1

THE ALL BLACKS.

“THE INCOMPARABLE SIX" NAMED. London, January 24. There were the liveliest scenes when the All Blacks took their departure from Euston station for New Zealand. Some women presented the team with an All Black doll mascot and each player with a sprig of heather. There were some affectionate good-byes, one player being so deeply engrossed in this ceremony that he had to climb in by the window of the moving train, from which the team gave its war cry. Mr S. S. Dean, in the course of an interview, said the hardest game of the tour was against Oxford. He sincerly hoped an All-British team would come out to Australia next year, where it would do incalculable good to the Australian game. The team was deeply impressed with its magnificent treatment in Britain. Mr Don, president of the British Rugby Union, accompanied the team to Liverpool for a final farewell. “Sporting Life” in farcwelling the All Blacks, says, “We never can forget Ihe two Brownlies. Both are comparable to Charles Seeling, the greatest forward of all time. We may never- again see the like of Nepia, one of the most extraordinary backs, or Richardson, who is the personification of consistency, but we shall always remember them. Each has written his name in imperishable letters on the history of the game. When, in future we desire to compliment any of our players, wo shall compare them to the Brownlies, Nepia, Mark Nieholls, Richardson and Cooke.” The AM Blacks attended a private screening of a composite film, showing their gamies. They immensely enjoyed the revelation of incidents overlooked during the stress of play. They were especially amused nt a slow motion picture of themselves. WONDER FUL HOSPITALITY. London, January 24. Before their departure from London, Porter and Dean sent a. message to the secretary to the Fellowship of the British Empire exhibition. “The captain and members of the All Black team, at the conclusion of the tour of Britain, in which Ihey have had the happiest experience of the friendly family feeling existing in the Empire, wisli good luck to the Fellowship of the British Empire Exhibition. May you score your goal of establishing the Fellowship in every part of the Empire.” On arrival in Canada the All Blacks will be shepherded to the Pacific and will probably plav three matches at Vancouver and Victoria efforts are being made to fix up another match in San Francisco. On being interviewed prior to the departure of the team, one member declared British Rugby was not so strong as expected, nevertheless they had been greatly attracted by the British forwards. The team paid the highest praise to British hospitality. They had had a glorious tour, but nevertheless were happy to he going home.