THE ALL BLACKS.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19258, 13 March 1928, Page 11

THE ALL BLACKS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PEES 3. Sir, —An article in this morning's issue of your paper is bound to raise a cry of angry protest from many true New Zealanders. The article I refer to gives an account of a correspondent's impressions of the sportsmanship of our All Blacks. The chief cause of complaint so tar as I can gather is that our team plays to win from whistle to whistle, that is, that when they find themselves a few points ahead with a few mmutes to go they do not kick high down the centre and hope for the best. The grave demeanour of the players seems to be another, point upon which exception is taken. Surely the fact that a man does not wear a smiie in addition to the regulation football togs does not necessarily imply _ that he is less of a sportsman than his opponent with a more benign appearance.

I do not for one moment believe that your correspondent's opinion is shaied by the true followers of Rugby in England. There may be a few, with whom the Waratahs are more popular than the All Blacks, but I suggest that these few are amongst those who do not like a beating. , A good beating might do a lot of good to New Zealand football, but that is no argument in favour of not playing "all out" when on the field. — Yours, etc., ALL BLACK MOTHER. •March 12th, 1928.