PLAYERS HEAD FOR CAPE TOWN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 69, Issue 289, 19 September 1949, Page 3

PLAYERS HEAD FOR CAPE TOWN

Business and Personal Reasons FRAZER BECOMES ENGAGED (From Claude King—N.Z.P.A. Represent* tive with ’ the All Blacks), (Rec. 9.10 a.m.) PORT ELIZABETH, Sept. IS. The playing side of their long tour having ended, a majority of the All Blacks to-day joined the hectic rush to get to Cape Town by the quickest means possible.

With only a few days remaining before the departure of the whole party in the Dominion Monarch next Friday, the boys were naturally anxious to make a. bee line for Cape Town for business as well as personal reasons. The team was booked to make the final stage of the South Africa tour by sea. from Port Elizabeth, but more than half the players availed themselves of offers of rides to Cape Town. Though many found early rising after their final match rather trying, they were on time and looking surprisingly fresh as the cars left before breakfast on the 500 miles road journey.

If all offers of hospitality are accepted during the final stage of the tour, few of the team will be seen at their hotel. For one player at least the tour has meant an important event of his life. • Harry Frazer became engaged to a South African girl, and it is expected that their marriage will take place at Cape Town before the team sails. Though Frazer managed to keep his engagement one of the closest secrets of the tour because of a. natural desire that his people in New Zealand should know first, it has now become public property, and the South African pre:=s has acclaimed it as the “All Blacks’ greatest victory.”

English Union Representative

A keenly interested spectator at the fourth test was Sir Wavell Wakefield, senior vice-president of the English Rugby Union and a former England test captain. He was asked by his union to watch the style of play of both teams in view of the British team’s torn 1 of New Zealand next yeai, and the visit by the Springboks to Britain in 1951. There is a possibility that he may visit New Zealand next yeai. “I enjoyed this game immensely,” he said, when I approached him for a few observations after the match. The All Black forwards were grand. It is not often one sees a Springbok pack beaten for the ball in the scrums and line-oute, as happened in this, game. We saw some fine back movements, and the Springboks moving off with just that extra pace which means so much. But what impressed me greatly was the magnificent defence on both sides which made try-scoring very difficult.”' ■ , . Sir Wavell also expressed the hope that too much stress would not be placed on the importance of international Rugby matches, which were tending to become gladiatorial contests “Let us not forget that Rugby is one of the few remaining truly amateur sports. Let us strike a happy medium and not forget that one of the main objects of Rugby is to promote good will. Certainly strive to win, but let us also play Rugby with ft genuine spirit of adventure that will make this grand game a joy for players and the public alike.”

Manager Expresses Thanks Mr J. H. Parker, in an interview, •said his first thanks went to the team for making his task as manager so pleasant, and for the manner in which they had accepted their defeats. He pointed out that Mr Alex McDonald was a member of the 1905 All Blacks, which had only one loss, and that he himself was a member of the 1924 team, which was unbeaten. It was easy to be good winners. This team bad had seven losses, including the whole of the test series. He was proud, and knew New Zealanders would be, of the manner in which the boys took these defeats. Mr Parker drew attention to South Africa’s wonderful record in international Rugby. The 1921 and 1937 sides had lost only three matches m Now Zealand. The 1928 All Blacks had lost five matches in South Africa. That alone places South African Rugby well on top, and the present tour confirmed South Africa as world champions. He wished to make no excuses, but probably it would lie conceded that a Rugby tour of this country was the most strenuous assignment that could be given to any sporting body. The present tour was, he felt much more arduous than that undertaken by the 1928 All Blacks Though the itinerary had been worked out with the utmost consideration for the tourists, it had involved some tremendous travelling.

Took All Opportunities

Mr Parker congratulated South Africa on its test achievement. He said the All Blacks might have won two with bettor kicking, but the facts were that South Africa took all opportunities that came its way, and that was all that counted, llis only disappointment with the game in this country was the fetish for the loose or wing-forward game, which was more destructive than anything he had known during his experience as a wing-forward. Apart from that he felt the Rugby was of a really good standard. As a result of the tour South Africa had brought to light players who were now household names. Public support for the game had been amazing. Even though the test rubber had been decided, the ground was packed for the final game. He understood the takings for the tour exceeded those of the 1919 New Zealand Army side, the 1928 All Blacks and the i 933 Wallabies lumped together. Mr Parker's final message was of thanks for unbounded hospitality. “We will regret parting from thousands of good friends wo have made hero, and will look forward to reciprocating all the kindnesses showered on the team when the Springboks visit us.”

When the All Blacks filed into their dressing-room after the fourth test Boh Scott said: “Sorry chaps, I let you down,” and then broke down. It was the onlv sad moment I have known on this tour, for Seott. who takes his football tremendously seriously, neither smokes nor drinks, and kept himself in superb physical condition. was most concerned at his failure to kick goals. It was factually necessary for the press to state that he

missed some easy goal kicks, which meant the difference between victory and defeat, and this did not make matters any easier for him. But this incident was quickly given its proper perspective, for the team lias never for a moment thought of attaching any blame to .Scott.* These words sum up not only the opinion of Scott’s team-mates, hut also of the South African press. Wherever he has gone, Scott has been acclaimed as one of the greatest full-backs in the world, not merely for his superb positional play, sure handling and tremendous touch kicks, but also for his skill in linking up with his backs.

Sounds of Revelry Crowds outside the dressing-room were surprised to hear sounds of revelry and the singing of “For He’s a Jolly Good fellow,” which may have been unexpected from a beaten side. “We have shared in your disappointment, Bob. but I have seen you give some of the greatest full-back displays of all time, and we are proud of you,” said Mr Parker. A charming tribute to Scott was paid by the wife of a prominent South African Rugby official, who said to me after meeting Scott: “You know, I meet many sportsmen. Being a woman, I am not a great judge of Rugby. They all tell me Bob is a great full-back, but I like him because he is so sincere and modest.”