Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1932. THE ALL BLACKS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 52, Issue 248, 2 August 1932, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1932. THE ALL BLACKS.

The return of the All Black team from its successful tour of Australia may well be the occasion of sincere felicitations to members on their splendid record both on and off the field. By winning all but one match of the ten played, scoring 308 points to 99, the members of the team set the seal of fame on their name and brought athletic honour to their country. They demonstrated beyond all doubt that the new generation of footballers is as brilliant as the old and as capable of upholding New Zealand's high reputation on the Rugby field. The 1932 All Black side can be said to be the first of recent years entirely free from the influence of the great 1924-25 All Blacks, and for this reason unusual interest was taken in its play in Australia. The form the team showed in its opening match was uninspiring and encouraged the pessimists to assert that halcyon days of New Zealand Rugby were over. But after losing the first test the team welded into a fine combination in an amazingly short 'time. The swift and complete change in the team was reflected in the comments of the Australian Press. Few New Zealand teams have been criticised so harshly at the beginning of a tour and praised so warmly at its close. In the opinion of that great veteran, Mr W. J. Wallace, whose coaching played a large part in moulding the side, developing its strategy and giving it inspiration, its game upheld the highest traditions pf New Zealand Rugby, an achievement that is even more satisfying than the actual margin of the victory, for youth, mainly untried, has done it. As regards the test matches, it must be admitted that the Australians proved themselves foemen worthy ot the All Blacks' steel, a factor that is of great value in all sports. So far as Rugby is concerned, the higher the test standard the better is it for the game and the greater is the incentive for players to excel, the wholesome effect of which goes down all the grades to the schools. This striving in a manly game to win the honour ot an All Black jersey is no small influence in the building of virile manhood. Finally, the manner in whicn the first contests for the Bledisloe tup were fought augurs we 1 for the future, stirring struggles binding the two countries in the ties of sport ties that rank high among those that link kinsmen.