SPORTING SPIRIT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 238, 22 July 1935, Page 6

SPORTING SPIRIT

THE ALL BLACK GAUGE. POINTS NOT ONLY OBJECTIVE. FRIENDSHIPS AND MEMORIES, (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, This Day. Replying on behalf of the Auckland members of the 1935 All Blacks, at a complimentary dinner given by the Auckland Rugby Union, Mr V. R. Meredith (manager or the team) remarked that the wonderful records of previous teams had been recounted. “I do not know whether those records are set as a standard for us,” he said!. “The 1924 team had a record that cannot be beaten. We are going to play harder matches than in 1924, hut we will endeavour to play good football, which is the, most attractive football of all. We are going back to the cradle of Rugby. We will count our success on the tour by the friendship we make and we will count our l-ecord by the memories we will bring back, and not the points.” Mr Meredith said that the selection of the team was one of the saddest jobs he had ever had to perform. There were so many fine players and fine fellows. As an instance of the fine sporting spirit of the players he said that one prominent player approached tbe selectors, saying: “I’m going to be married, so if it comes to a close thing for selection with me and some other chap, do not consider me; leave me out.” When Mr Meredith revealed that this player was R. SI Steer© (Hawke’s Bay) there was a burst of appreciative applause. Mr Meredith'concluded: “The team will try to live up to your highest expectations.”