Knight back with team

Press, 10 November 1978, Page 20

Knight back with team

from

KEVIN McMENAMIN

After the grim sights of Belfast, the All Blacks are enjoying very different surroundings in the Welsh seaside town of Porthcawl. Porthcawl, which is about 30km from Cardiff, was bathed in warm sunshine yesterday when the team arrived and it was easy to imagine the town as a popular summer holiday resort. It continues to amaze everyone that with the tour almost i half over the All Blacks have yet to experience morei than a few spots of rain andj the only time the tempera) lures have been less than mild was during the match: against Ulster on Tuesday.

The weather must eventually break, but in the meantime the All Blacks are making the most of their good fortune. “It has been a big help to us to be able to train, as well as play on firm grounds’’ said the coach, Mr Jack Gleeson,

yesterday. The All Blacks were rejoined yesterday by the Manawatu prop, Gary Knight, who spent the previous six days in hospital in Dublin receiving treatment for a skin infection. The problem appears to be clearing up and Knight, who through necessity is now sporting a beard, expects to be fit to play again next week. He will not be considered for Sunday’s test. Although the many bombscarred buildings told their own story, the All Blacks, accommodated well out in the country, were little affected by the “troubles.” as they are locally described. The security was nowhere near as strict as it was on the All Blacks' two previous visits, in 1973 and 1974. but that the "troubles’’ remain there can be no doubt at the after-match dinner, the Ulster captain, Stuart McKinney, touched a few hearts when he sincerely thanked the AU Blacks for coming to Belfast “and brightening our day.” He then added: “Belfast does not have many: bright days.”