“Will Not Let You Dozen"

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 329, 14 April 1928, Page 10

“Will Not Let You Dozen"

ALL BLACKS’ MESSAGE Custodians of Sporting Honour WELLINGTON, Friday. THE Olympic Council feels that in. the hands of the All Blacks of 1928, two great traditions of New Zealand v ‘gby football—never to excuse defeat, and to take victory jdestlv—arc safe.”

(Special to THE SUN)

Prime Minister, as president of the New Zealand Olympic Association, delivered a message from the association to the New Zealand Rugby team before its departure. “The Olympic Council joins with other sports bodies and sportsmen of New Zealand in sincerely wishing the All Blacks of 1928 “bon voyage,’ and every success in their great mission to uphold New Zealand’s Rugby honour on the fields of South Africa,” said Mr. Coates. “Our Rugby teams in international contests bear a responsibility that is borne by no other of our sports. The very fact of their outstanding success over a long period of years has placed them on a peak which is not only the standing to which our other sports are striving, but the point on which outside criticism of New Zealand sport generally is focussed.” “The* All Blacks, year in and year out, are, in the truest sense, the custodians of our national sporting honour. Their earnest endeavours to win have at times drawn oil us unfavourable, but wholly unjust, criticism, for that earnestness is but a due tribute of respect to the great game of Rugby football. “The Olympic team at Amsterdam will be heartened by the efforts of their compatriots in South Africa, and they, like us, acknowledge their debt of gratitude to the All Blacks and the New Zealand and Wellington Rugby Unions for that fine expression of true Olympic spirit of friendship between the sports—the exhibition match on Wednesday, which will so materially help the Olympic team along the trail to Amsterdam.” CHEERS FROM 4,000 THROATS Further proof that the team carried with it the best wishes of the people of the Dominion was afforded at the farewell given to the players in the shed on the wharf specially set aside for the purpose by the Harbour Board. Good wishes for the team’s success were expressed by the Mayor and the Prime Minister, and a message of encouragement was received from the Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson, from Auckland. Led by the captain, M. Brownlie, and the vice-captain, M. Nicholls, each bearing giant tree ferns, the members of the team filed up the gangway on to the steamer amid the cheers of the big crowd. Promptly at 3.15 the Marama glided away from the wharf, * breaking the streamers connecting boat and shore to the roar of cheering from 4,000 people. “WE ARE PROUD OF YOU” The Mayor of Wellington, Mr. G. A. Troup, at the final farewell, said they had come to the parting of the ways, when all that remained was to say good-bye and one and all could do this without any misgivings. The members of the team had been specially selected to represent New Zealand at her national game. All were physically fit and all could be classed as goojl New Zealanders, and it was, therefore, in a dual capacity that they were being sent forth to represent the Dominion. “We want you to remember,” said

i the Mayor, “that we are proud of you. I have already impressed upon you | certain qualities, but there is one ! other I should like to commend to | yon—the will to win. I am sure that j your captain has this quality and I j hope you will all cultivate It, as it will be very essential in the harder games, i particularly the test matches.” j “The tour will have the effect of bringing the people of South Africa and New Zealand closer together,” I said the Prime Minister. “You are I fortunate in the selection of your i manager, Mr. Hornig, and fortunate lin your selection of a captain, M. j Brownlie, while everyone knows that his right-handed man, M. Nicholls, cannot be surpassed. All I can say to you is 'Haeraera, kia kaha,’ the best of luck, the best of good wishes, and may you return to your own people with honours surrounding you.” HARD GAMES IN STORE The manager of the team, Mr. W. F. Hornig, in returning thanks, said that they had a fine team and he was sura they would prove a happy family. "As the father of that family,” he added, “I shall expect them to play good football. We are going to meet foemeD worthy of our steel. We are going to play the hardest games which New Zealand has ever been called upon to play. Win or lose, we hope to leave a good name behind us. "I would like to assure the people of the Dominion that If we are defeated the members of the team will feel the defeat more keenly than the people of New Zealand. We trust we will not let you down and can assure you all that we will do our best to go down In history as a team which always played the game.” Mr. Hornig explained that he had already that day received over 100 telegraphic messages wishing the team success. The following was from the Governor-General; “I send you all my good wishes for a happy time.” Mr. Brownlie, the captain of the team, said they would embark on the tour fortified by the inspiring sentiments which had been expressed. The Prime Minister presented each member of the team with a handsome booklet containing views of New Zealand.