Popular All Black Team Farewelled
(From A. R. VEYSEY, N.Z.P A. Special Correspondent]
LONDON, Feb. 17. The fifth All Blacks would not go down as the greatest side ever seen from New Zealand but they would go down as the greatest side of sportsmen ever to tour the British Isles. This assertion was made tonight by Wing Commander J. Lawson, president of the four Home Unions, when the New Zealand touring team was farewelled at a function at New Zealand House. “You go home leaving the memory of a team beaten only once on the field but invincible off it,” he said: “Your visit has been memorable. Those of us who have seen many tours are agreed that no team has been better managed. Your Mr Kilby and Mr McPhail have done a superb job.” Fearless, Fair
Addressing the captain, Wilson Whineray, WingCommander Lawson said: “No team is more welcome here than New Zealand. We admire the way you play the game, the way you are dedicated to it You have ensured that the game is played fearlessly and fairly. No team should ever be dissuaded from every legitimate means of beating the opposition, for that is Rugby and you have played it that way.” He paid a tribute to the New Zealand High Commissioner (Sir Thomas Mac-
Donald) and to Lady MacDonald for the help they had been to the tour. “To the team as a whole I would say we would all be more than satisfied if you would take back the sort of memories of us that we will hold of you.” “Rock of Gibraltar” The New Zealand manager, Mr F. D. Kilby, said he was proud to have been associated with the team not just because they were good footballers but because they were a “grand bunch 'of fellows.”
He too paid a tribute to Sir Thomas MacDonald, who had been “like the Rock of Gibraltar.” “We could always turn to him.” The tour had been one through which the touring party would have rich and affectionate memories. If they had succeeded in giving the British people similar memories they would be well pleased.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30368, 18 February 1964, Page 18
Word Count
358Popular All Black Team Farewelled Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30368, 18 February 1964, Page 18
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