THE ALL BLACKS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 72, 7 January 1936, Page 6

THE ALL BLACKS.

TRIBUTES IN ENGLAND.

HAVE ADMIRATION OF ALL

United Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, January 6.

"The Times' " Rugby correspondent says the New Zealanders will carry homeward something finer than an unbeaten record, namely, the admiration and regard of all who have seen them in both defeat and victory. They should rest contest with the fact that All Blacks is still a name to conjure with, and will be again when the next tour is organised. The correspondent pays a tribute to Mr V. R. Meredith's speedy withdrawal of the "rather surprising reintroduction of the so-called wingforward, who puts the ball in the scrum and, willy-nilly, immediately becomes an obstructionist." He regrets that the New Zealanders' casualties handicapped the team, and adds: "Probably the All Blacks did not become invincible because they lacked a five-eighths of the class of Hunter of 1905, or Nicholls and Cooke of 1924. Sadler, Oliver and Gilbert are likely to remain longest in British memories. The team was a fine one, if not unbeatable, but it must be remembered that British Rugger, has greatly advanced. Both Welsh and English backs, in spirit, physique, skill and pace are 50 per cent, better than those who faced the All Blacks in 1925." NO FRESH TACTICS. TRIUMPH FOR THE OLD SCHOOL(Received This Day, 1.45 p.m.) LONDON, January 6. The "Daily Mail," summing up the New Zealand"team, emphasised that the team owed its success mainly to a brilliant readiness to profit by its opponents' mistakes, and intensive teamwork, which is common to all Dominion teams, while England ultimately showed the easiness with which this was acquired. The tour had not evolved fresh tactics. Neither the five-eighths nor the 3-4-1 formation was likely to be copied by Britain. It was significant that orthodox alignment by Wales had beaten New Zealand twice in three matches; moreover, England inflicted the severest defeat in 91 matches, which was a triumph for the old school of thought, which favoured hard scrummaging, hard tackling in the middle, and speedy flanks. Nevertheless, the game generally would benefit by the prevention of baneful spoiling on the lines of the proposal regarding scrum, concerning which a decision is not yet available.