ALL BLACK TEAM ARRIVES

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26441, 7 June 1951, Page 3

ALL BLACK TEAM ARRIVES

SMOOTH CROSSING OF TASMAN (From B. L. HEWITT, N.Z.P.A. Correspondent with the All Blacks.) (Rec. 12.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, June 6. The All Black touring team reached Sydney to-night by the Solent flyingboat Ararangi, after a smooth sevenhour crossing in near perfect flying weather. The Ararangi’s crew, headed by Captain C. Griffiths, were obviously pleased to be hosts to the All Blacks for the first stage of their tour They did everything possible to make the flight comfortable and interesting. In return the team’s manager, Mr R. W. S. Botting, presented each member of the crew with the All Blacks fernleaf badge and some of the team peeled off their blazers and gave the air hostess a hand with the dish washing The big lock. R. A. White, also appointed himself steward’s assistant and supplied the rest of the" team with afternoon tea. White took advantage of his kitchen duties to supplement his lunch, and emerged from the plane’s miniature servery announcing that he had accounted for, among other things four chops, eight tomatoes, and some fish.

Veterans of previous tours settled easily back into the routine of travel. For some of the younger players, the crossing was their first flight and it could hardly have been in better conditions. There was scarcely a bump in the whole journey, and none of the team was troubled by air sickness. The team was met on arrival by members of the Australian Rugby Union, including the president (Mr Justice Herron) ,and the Australian Union’s representative to travel with the All Blacks (Mr Harry Kahl). Mr Justice Herron welcomed the team warmly. Members of the 1949 All Blacks also had a reunion at the fly-ing-boat base with a member of that team, Keith GudselE The team was then taken to their Sydney . headquarters, the Oceanic Hotel, Coogee. There is a football ground near the hotel and they will begin training to-morrow morning.