THE ALL BLACK TOUR

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3878, 1 December 1928, Page 1

THE ALL BLACK TOUR

MANAGER'S REPORT. ' Mr. Hornig, manager of the All Black team which toured South Africa this year submitted his report on the tour to the N.Z. Rugby Union at Wellington on Wednesday. He stated that during the voyage,;: the team did breathing exercises and physical drill before breakfast, scrummaging practice at 10.30, with a team talk during the day. The first match played three days after arrival was against a much stronger team than they had expected, while the succeeding match against Western Provinces, a town team, was one of the hardest in the itinerary. These hard matches, coupled with the very strenuous train travelling, were responsible for the lack of form and it was se-i veral weeks before the team really showed anything like New Zealand form. CHANGE OiF ALTITUDE. 'The change of altitude in the tour was a big factor, several of team being very badly affected by the high altitude, bleeding at.the nose and suffering in the lungs and throat, the slightest exertion making one feel tired. The All Blacks found the various teams they met very strong, particularly in the forwards and with one of two exceptions, the best available team had to be fielded, with the result that some of the players were ' showing signs of staleness before the tour was completed. It was invariably found that the team did not show anything like true form when it played within three days after a long train journey. Also, an epidemic of influenza went through the team early in the tour. Hotel accommodation, on the whole, was excellent. The grounds were not as hard as had been expected. Most were well turfed and the others watered and softened specially. Mr. Hornig stated he made it quite clear on the team's arrival in South Africa that the New Zealand team would have to accept the rulings of South African referees. The tour, in South Africa, was treated, as an affair of national importance. EXEMPLARY CONDUCT.

The conduct of the team, said the manager, was excellent from start to finish. They were a credit to New Zealand, were popular with everyone and a happy party, not the slightest sign of dissension occurring to mar 'a very memorable and strenuous tour. The tour left Capetown on 7 after travelling over 7000 miles by train and nearly 2000 by motor car, THE SCRUMS. Mr. Hornig said that the South African referees allowed only one method of packing the serum. They would not allow two heads to go down together. The serum foimationw as shocking. Often the ball would be put in eight times before the referee was satisfied that it had been fairly put in. Mr. 8. 'S. Dean, moved that the report from the manager of the team to 'South Africa be received and that he be thanked for it.

' Mr. J. Cl. Roache considered that clause 4 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. !The motion to receive the report and thank the manager for it was carried. It was decided to print the report and circulate it to affiliated unions, and the South African Rugby 'Board. On the motion of Mr. Dean, it was decided to thank the South African board for the hospitality extended to the New Zealand team on the tour. Mr. Roache moved that the South African Rugby Board be informed that clause 4 of the agieement entered into between the South African board and the New Zealand team in 1928 was contrary to the laws of the game. Mr. Wylie said that no body of men had power to alter the laws of the game. They should be careful not to let this 1928 agreement be used as a precedent. Mr. Wylie contended that the South African board should be informed that the agreement had no power as it contravened law 10. On his suggestion, Mr. Roache agreed to include this: in his motion and. in this form, Mr. Roache’s resolution was carried.

Advice has been received by the Government Tourist Office at Dunedin that a grant of £IOOO has been made for the rebuilding of the ; Malte Brun Hut at Mount Cook. ' Work is to be commenced at an early date, and it is intended to provide a mountain lodge to accommodate 30 or 40 persons with baths and other conveniences. The lodge will be within easy reach of. one of the finest skiing grounds in the -world.