RETURN OF ALL BLACKS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 29, 3 August 1926, Page 9

RETURN OF ALL BLACKS

HEAVY CASUALTY LIST. (By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post.") AUCKLAND, This Day. Tanned by travel under Australian sides, the All Blacks reached Auckland this morning. They expressed ' pleasure at coming home again after their particularly strenuous tour. The manager, Mr. Harry Leith, said: "We were up against it from start to finish with injuries and sickness." He also found considerable difference between the interpretations of the rules in Sydney and Now Zealand. The heavy casualty list necessitated complete reorganisation of the backs, especially in the first match of the tour. Asked about the first Tost, Mr. Leith said they had no excuses to make. They were beaten on their merits that day. New South Wales played a wonderful game. ".They were as fit as fiddles after having spent a fortnight in camp. 'Condition was their long suit. In' the second Test our forwards played magnificently. This game was the turning of the tide in our favour. We never had a complete back team in their proper positions in any one match on the tour." The hard grounds played havoc ■with the 1 men. Chatting about the New South' Wales players, Mr. Leith said Boss played magnificently. He did everything that was aske3 of him, and was undoubtedly without a superior in Australia or New Zealand. The New South Wales players were as fit as hands could make them. He considered the trip to Melbourne well worth while. "Properly handled and with a little assistance," he said, "Melbourne Bugfiy.will make good. They have six senior clubs there, and this year were also able to start a B grade competition with four teams.'' The hospitality shown in Australia was wonderful, and although they had a strenuous time the trip was most pleasant from start to finish. • Porter has water on the knee, Harvey an injured leg, Dalley an ankle injury, Cooke a damaged shoulder, and Nicholls's hip is giving him trouble. Brown has tonsilitis, and others have minor troubles.