Most Popular All Black Was Trainer Andy Mercer

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 453, 7 September 1928, Page 1

Most Popular All Black Was Trainer Andy Mercer

Great Farewell to Team

(United P.A.— By Telegraph — Copyright) (Special to Press Association.)

Reed. 9.5 a m. CAPETOWN, Friday. A wonderful farewell was given to 'he All Blacks when they went aboard ship to-day, embarking for New Zealand. Cheering crowds swarmed the wharf, 'n great tribute to the popularity of the New Zealanders. The most popular* man on the All Slack side was Andy Mercer, the trainer, who with his genial personality won the hearts of all with whom he came in contact. He was given many handsome presents from life'ong friends in South Africa. The whole All Black side was showered with trinkets, which will commemorate wonderfully the memorable 1928 tour. • J. Piennaar, president of the South African Rugby Board, publishes the following message from the board: ! What the board appreciates especi- , a ‘>y is the ready manner in which the , Zealand team fell in with our ar rangements. Their playing of the 1 first and last matches are instances of l^e generous sporting spirit with which 1 lhe y met us. We wish them all a , ha PPy homeward voyage, and a safe let urn, and, we trust they will carry - them pleasant recollections of l heir strenuous time in South Africa. , Their visit has aroused in an un- i Drecedented manner interest in our < All our unions have derived / ne fiU Mutual interest in our re-

spective countries,!and, I trust, friendships, have also been stimulated. Mr. W. F. Hornig, All Blacks’ manager Interviewed on the eve of sailing, said the tour had been an unqualified success, and the result- of the tests most happy. He said he was lookins forward to the time a few years hence when the issue would he settled in a great game before a great crowd at Athletic Park, in Wellington. He was of the opinion that the even division of the honours in the tests was a fine thing for the game in both countries. It provided a stimulus to Rugby W'hich w-as better than indisputable supremacy. A WARM RECEPTION Although the All Blacks were prepared for hard games, the matches turned out to be even more arduous than they were at first thought. he result of the strong opposition they encountered was that they had to forsake the style of forward play general in New Zealand for the solid scrummaging game customary here, and it was only halfway through the tour that they really settled down to me type of play necessary. “It is a compliment to our forwards, under the circumstances, that tney were finally able to hold their own with the Springbok pack, and secure an even division of the tests.” He concluded by expressing regret that they were leaving. He hoped they had forged a small link in the chain of Empire. He assured the South Africans of a warm reception when they again toured New Zealand.