ALL BLACKS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 291, 8 September 1928, Page 9

ALL BLACKS

LEAVE CAPE TOWN FOR NEW ZEALAND WONDERFUL FAREWELL TRIBUTE TO POPULARITY OF TEAM Special to Press Association. Cape Town, September 6. A wonderful farewell was given tlie All Blacks when they went on the ship to-day. Cheering crowds swarmed the wharf in a great tribute to tlie popularity of the New Zealanders. The most popular man on the All Black side was Andj’ Mercer, the trainer, who, witli his genial personality, won tlie hearts of all with whom he came in contact. He was given many handsome presents from the life-long friends he made here. The whole of the All Black side were showered with trinkets, which will commemorate the wonderfully memorable 192 S tour of South Africa. * TEAM’S SPORTING SPIRIT APPRECIATIVE MESSAGE VISIT AROUSED INTEREST IN GAME (Special to Press'’Association.) Cape Town, September 6. Mr. A. J. Pienaar, president of the South African Rugby Football Board, publishes the following message from the board: “What the board appreciates specially is the ready manner in which the New Zealand team fell in with our arrangements. Their playing of the first and last matches are instances of the generous sportin/ spirit with which they met us. We wish them all a happy homeward voyage and a safe return, and we trust they will carry with them pleasant recollections of their strenuous time in South Africa. Their visit has aroused in an unprecedented manner interest in our game. All our unions have derived benefit ty the mutual interest in our respective countries, and, I trust, friendships' which have also been stimulated. DIR. HORNIG INTERVIEWED Mr. Hornig, interviewed on the eve of sailing, said that the tour had been an unqualified success and the result of the Tests was most happy. He said that he was looking forward to. the time a few years hence when the issue would be settled in a great game before a great crowd at Athletic Park, Wellington. He believed that an even division of honours in the Tests was a fine thing for tlie game in both countries. It provided a stimulus to Rugby which was better than an indisputable supremacy. Although the All Blacks were prepared for hard games, the matches turned out to be even more arduous than they at first thought they would be. The result of the strong opposition they encountered was that they had to forsake the style of forward play general in New Zealand for the solid scrummaging game customary here, and it was only-halfway through the tour that they really settled down to the type of play necessary. “It is a compliment to our forwards in the circumstances that they were finally able to hold their own with the Springbok pack and secure an even division of the Tests.” Mr. Hornig concluded witli expressing a regret at leaving, but hoped that they had forged a small link in the chain of Empire. He assured the South Africans of a warm reception when they again toured New Zealand. MESSAGE FROM MR. COATES TO GENERAL HERTZOG VALUE TO EMPIRE OF VISITS The Prime Minister (the Right Hon. J. G. Coates) yesterday sent the following cable message to General Hertzog, Prime Minister of South Africa :— “On the departure of the New Zealand football team, I desire to express our keen appreciation of the generous hospitality which has been extended to them during their visit. We shall in turn warmly welcome your players when they next come to New Zealand. I feel sure that these visits, providing as they do opportunities for mutual contact and association, are instrumental in still further strengthening the friendship and good-will between our own two countries and the Empire generally.” MAY PLAY MATCH AT • MELBOURNE Cable advice has been received by tlie New Zealand Rugby Union to the effect that the All Blacks have agreed to play a match with Victoria’s representatives at Melbourne, provided that it does not prevent them from connecting with the steamer there. Tlie team are returning by the Ceramic, which is due at Melbourne on September 29. ...