ALL BLACK DISSENSION?

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 441, 24 August 1928, Page 10

ALL BLACK DISSENSION ?

IT would be well to regard with a good deal of suspicion an * attempt elsewhere to fasten the blame for any lack of success by the All Blacks in South Africa on to the shoulders of Maurice Brownlie, the captain of the New Zealand team. It may be said with confidence, even at this distance, that a great deal of ill-advised comment, some of which has proved entirely incorrect, has been broadcast from Africa about the tour. That, however, is a matter which need not be dealt with here. But when an attempt is made to discredit the captain of the New Zealand team, together with the statement that “there seems to be a conspiracy to beep Mark Nieholls oiit of the team.” such a serious allegation should have been supported by reasonable facts. But the only evidence advanced is a rambling reference to team selection (in which Brownlie is only one among five, including Nieholls), and the foolish statement that “the All Blacks could be made into a team of world-beaters in a week —but without Maurice Brownlie in the team!” It is a pity that the report in question was not more precise and more authoritative. Fair-minded people will not be impressed with the honeyed announcement that “it is from a former keen follower of Rugby in New Zealand,” any more than they will accept the statement that it is written in a “kindly, but candid way.” A veiled attack of this nature is neither kindly nor candid.