FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3840, 4 September 1928, Page 1

FOOTBALL.

CRITICISM OF ALL BLACKS RESENTED. Napier, August 31. An inquiry into certain unfair Press criticisms of some members of the All Black team at present in South Africa is to be urged upon the New Zealand Rugby Union by the Hawke’s Bay Union.

Mr. N. A. McKenzie introduced the subject at a meeting to-night, when he expressed the opinion that the New Zealand Union should take some notice of reports which, he said, were biased and a reflection on certain members of the team. The manager of the team, he said, should have supervised the reports before they came to New Zealand, and any spiteful reference deleted. Mr. T. Fletcher, a member of the New Zealand Union, who was present at the meeting, agreed with Mr. McKenzie. He regretted that players should be ci'iticised behind their backs. He did not think criticism came from the reporter who went away with the team. The worst criticism came from an Auckland source, and was telegraphed round the country. He thought the union should, sub-edit some repoits. The trouble arose from personal criticism from private sources. Mr. Fletcher thought the Hawke’s Bay Union’s motion wtould strengthen the New Zealand Union in any effort to stojp ninju'st criticism of players not here to protect themselves.