A cold touch of culture

Press, 5 November 1977, Page 56

A cold touch of culture

The All Blacks are getting a touch of medieval French culture at first hand while staying in Agen. They are quartered in a chateau which is said to date back to the fifteenth century. History is all very well but the discomforts of a large old building can be considerable. Frank Oliver, for instance, has a bed which occupies almost the entire space of an alcove off a double bedroom.

Gary Knight was so cold, because only one

blanket had been provided, that he was forced to remove the drapes from his window for extra warmth.

However, the players have taken their placements i n such quaint quarters in good heart. They are pleased with the general standard of accommodation so far.

Other problems have bobbed to the surface here and there but they have been dealt with satisfactorily. Mr Jacques Fel, a French liaison officer with the side, said yesterday

that there had been some bother providing requested items of food in Perpignan but this had been settled.

However, the language difficulty is ever present and there have been some mildly frustrating and often amusing experiences for the All Blacks.

After the Perpignan match, the team’s manager (Mr Ron Don), called for a crepe bandage for Brian Ford’s ankle. He was nonplussed when a helpful Frenchman returned with the referee, Mr George Domereq.