A STRENUOUS TOUR.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 182, 3 August 1926, Page 11

A STRENUOUS TOUR.

RETURN OF ALL BLACKS. MANAGERS IMPRESSIONS. HEAVY CASUALTY LIST. The 1926 All Blacks are a team of early risers. Shortly after six o'clock this morning, the Marama swung into Auckland Harbour, and there was a goodly muster of the team on deck to catch their first glimpse of New Zealand since - they left these shores a month ago. Tanned by travel under Australian skies, and all expressing pleasure at being home again after a particularly strenuous tour, the famous band breakfasted together for the last time on the ship, and then busied themselves with their baggage for the Customs inspection.

In between the hundred and one duties that fair to the lot of a manager just before going ashore, Mr. Harry Leith was able to give a representative of the "Star" a few impressions of the trip. • "We were up against it from start to finish with injuries and sickness," said Mr. Leith, "and we also found a considerable difference between the interpretations of the rules in Sydney and what the boys have been used to in New Zealand. At times, our heavy casualty list necessitated a complete reorganisation of the backs, especially in the first match of the tour." Asked about the firs t Test, Mr. Leith said they had no excuses to make for being beaten on their merits on the day. "New South Wales played a wonderful game," he went on. "They were as fit as fiddles after having spent a fortnight in camp. In the Lekh. second Test, our forwards played magnificently, and this game was the turning of the tide in our favour. "We never had our complete back team in their proper positions in any one match on tour," Mr. Leith went on, "and it will make us busy to field a full side against Auckland to-morrow, especially in the backs. The hard grounds over there played havoc with our men." Chatting about the New South Wales players, Mr. Leith said that Ross played magnificently against them. "He did everything that was asked of him, and he is undoubtedly without a superior in Australasia," said Mr. Leith. "The New South Welshmen were as fit as hands could make them: in fact, condition was their lonor suit."

Mr. Leith considers that the trip to Melboin-'" -ms well worth while. "Properly h" 'I'-d and with a little assistance, Mc" "vne Rueby will make good." he remfi ' ' "They have six senior" clubs the- 1 this year they were also able to st- grade competition with four tearr '\ There were 12,000 at nur match nnd if it had been a better day. there would probably have been another five or six thousand."

"The hospitality shown us in Australia was wonderful." said Mr. Leith. "and although we had a strenuous time of it on the whole, the trip was a most pleasant one from start to finish." The Injured List. As has already been stated, Porter is hors de combat with water on the knee. In addition, Harvey has an injured leg, Dalley an ankle injury, and Cooke a damaged shoulder. Nicholis' hip has also been giving him a little trouble, and Brown has tonsilitis. In addition there are others with minor injuries.