Welsh preparing for next All Black tour

Press, 4 December 1979, Page 6

Welsh preparing for next All Black tour

The All Blacks found thia year’s British tour challenging. But the visit to Wales is likely to be even more demanding. This was a view expressed by ;the team manager ’Mr R. w. 'Thomasi on his return to Christi church last evening. Mr Thomas said that the Welsh were preparing assiduously for next year’s visit and the All Blacks could expect no easy games. “Being as it is their centennial year it will be a big occasion for the Welsh and understandably they are very keen to win th* test. And 1 don’t expect that the other four games will be much easier,” Mr Thomas said. Mr Thomas added that he I thought English rugby had improved markedly in tha last 13 i months and thare was no dtsI grace to the AU Blacks in losing

.to a side that played as «» lag had North of England Canterbury’s four members ■ the side also returned home la night and the senior pair. Vsn< Stuart and Barry Thompso were a little uncertain sbo their futures Stewart said that with a F.a furly Shield challenge in U offing he would like to clay aga next year, but It would depn on how successful was the o eratlon required on his ng knee Stewart injured the kn in a training run before the 6a match and. he said, it bethen ; bim throughout. Thompson ssid he would enj- | the cummer before giving ’ i much thought to next eea« But he was doubtful if ho wor continue at the firwt-claes lev