LUNCH TENDERED TO TEAM

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27306, 24 March 1954, Page 9

LUNCH TENDERED TO TEAM

CAPTAIN PRAISES YOUNG PLAYERS

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, March 23. Many tributes to the All Blacks playing record, their sportsmanship, and ambassadorial worth were expressed at a luncheon in honour of the touring team tendered by the New Zealand Rugby Union today. In one of the replies to the toast to the team, the captain (R. C. Stuart) said: “The younger players in the team had character off the field and backbone on the paddock. If they continue in that spirit, New Zealand has a terrific potential for the future.” Apart from the 29 All Blacks (J. F. Jones was not present) the gathering was studded with Rugby stars of this and previous years. Two 1905 All Blacks, G. Nicholson and H. L. Abbott, were present, and others included Mark Nicholls, of the 1924 team, Sir Vincent Meredith, manager of the 1935 touring team, and F. R. Allen, captain of the 1949 All Blacks. Others there were Sic Edmund Hillary and Mr George Lowe, taking advantage of an unscheduled change in their departure plans for the Himalayas. Among the official party were the president of the New Zealand union (Mr S. H. Sullivan), the chairman of the New Zealand Union’s executive committee (Mr C. S. Hogg), the Attorney-General (Mr, T. C. Webb), representing the Prime Minister, and the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nash). The managers (Mr J, N. Millard and Mr A. E. Marslin) also replied to the toast to the All Blacks, and were later given presentations by Stuart on behalf of the team. Both Mr Webb and Mr Nash emphasised that the All Blacks had kept the good name of New Zealand alive overseas, and provided d closer link between the countries of the Commonwealth. Mr Webb also praised the. work of the New Zealnad Broadcasting Service representative with the team (Mr W. McCarthy) and Mr Nash commended the reporting of the tour by Mr T. P. McLean, the New Zealand Press Association correspondent. Two of the New Zealand selectors who with Mr Marslin chose the team (Messrs T. C. Morrison and M. M. N. Corner) as well as Mr E. Griffin, the North Island selector, and Mr D. S. B. Heather and Mr J„ Dotchin, presidents of .the Waikato and North Auckland unions respectively, were present.