ALL BLACKS FOR SOUTH AFRICA

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25677, 14 December 1948, Page 4

ALL BLACKS FOR SOUTH AFRICA

ITINERARY APPROVED (P.A.) WELLINGTON. December 13. The itinerary submitted by the South African Rugby Board for the tour of the All Blacks in 1949 has been accepted by the New Zealand Rugby Union. This was decided at a meeting of the management committee of the union to-day. The chairman (Mr A. St. C. Belcher) said that after receipt of the itinerary last week, a sub-committee consisting of Messrs J. H. Parker, A. E. Neilson (the secretary) and himself had conferred with Mr M. F. Nicholls. The conclusion reached was that the South African board had been most considerate to meet New Zealand’s wishes to ensure that the team became thoroughly acclimatised. The players would have a fortnight in South Africa before the first match that was assuming that there was no delay in arrival, and the first six games were all in the coastal area. The itinerary raised some problems, but it appeared about as fair as could have been provided. Mr Parker said he had also secured the views of Mr M. J. Brownlie. who had also expressed agreement that it was a good itinerary. One part of the tour involved heavy travelling between high and low altitude areas, but the side would probably be well acclimatised by then.