WITH OPEN ARMS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 243, 14 October 1935, Page 8

WITH OPEN ARMS.

SCOTLAND'S WELCOME. All Blacks Have Happy Times Off the Field. BUT WORRIED BY POOR FORM. United Tress Association. —Copyright. (Received 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, October 13. The All Blacks are greatly impressed by the ■warmth of their welcome in Scotland, aud amazed by the hospitality offered. Many have been invited to stay at Scottish homes, but are unable to accept owing to the rule that the team must not be dispersed. Ono member of tlio team admired a pull-over worn by an official at Hawick. The Scot immediately took it off and presented it to the All Black. The team during the week-end visited Melrose and other ruined abbeys and historic scenes of border affrays. They wero delighted to find many parts of the countryside, especially the gorges, streams and hills, reminiscent of New Zealand. Both Mr. Meredith and the players arc deeply perturbed by the mediocrity of the team's display in the last two games, and feel that despite injuries and experiments it ought to do better. They aro unable to discover exactly what is wrong, beyond the fact that only a few of the players have reproduced their home form. This was earlier atributcd to lack of condition, which by now should have been remedied. The All Blacks are especially worried by the failure of their scrum, and it is believed Mr. Meredith will eventually try the 3 —2 —3 formation.