To Spend Five Days In Wellington

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 14927, 15 March 1949, Page 3

To Spend Five Days In Wellington

All Blacks Plans For Tour

Time For Training In

South Africa

(P.A.) Wellington, March 14 The New Zealand Rugby Union has decided to defer for a further week the fixing of final assembly arrangements ior the All Blacks before they leave for South Africa. All unions are to be advised that the team will be assembled in Wellington for five days before the ship’s departure, and that this assembly may begin on April 7. The excutive of the New Zealand Rugby Union made this decision today after hearing a report. from the manager of the team, Mr 3. H. Parker. It was stated that while it was unlikely that anything would prevent the Tamaroa from leaving Auckland on April 13, the scheduled date, shipping authorities would not be able to give definite advice for a week because of the circumstanes prevailing at the port of Auckland. Departure on April 13 would give the team adequate time for training after arriving in South 'Africa, Mr Parker said. Any delay, however, would mean more training at this end. While in Wellington, the players will be Outfitted, will attend Official gatherings and will have training sessions. If possible the instructional film which had to be dropped two seasons ago because of continually unfavourable weather wiT be taken.

The touring party will leave Wellington in time to have one full day in Auckland before embarking. A meeting of the council cf the New Zealand Rugby Union will be held duzdng the assembly period for the team.

It is expected that the team will be received by the Governor-Gen-eral, Sir Bernard Freyberg, V.C., while it is in Auckland.