RUGBY AT HOME

Evening Post, Issue 82, 6 April 1936, Page 4

RUGBY AT HOME

IMPEOVEMENT NOTED

TOUR OF 1.935 ALL' BLACKS

A considerable advance in the Rugby football game in England has taken place since 1924, according to Mr. Jt E. Manchester, captain of the 1935 All Black team, who returned to New Zealand by the Wanganella. Mr. Manchester stayed in England after the team departed for business reasons and visited France and Germany before returning to New Zealand via Australia. Commenting on the tour to 'The Post" today, Mr. Manchester said it had been a great success even if they had not equalled the record.of former touring teams. The, reception they had received and the hospitality extended to them typißed the regard in which New Zealanders were held in Great Britain. ACTUATED BY ONE IDEA. He was glad to be^able to say that nothing had happened during the tour to mar that reputation. Before the All Blacks left New Zealand a definite policy was outlined and that was that the team should win by good football and if that were not possible that they should play the game in the best sporting spirit. That policy was definitely maintained' throtighout the ' tour and consequently the . reputation of the team stood high. "I would like to take this dpportunity," said Mr. Manchester, "to thank all members of the team for the great" loyalty shown throughout the tour. It has never been my privilege to. travel with better sportsmen. One idea actuated* the team throughout. That was for the betterment of the team, and each player worked for that."

The standard of Rugby, throughout Britain was very high and uniform, said Mr. Manchester. The interest in Rugby had increased greatly since 1924, the number of teams being practically doubled. On the three occa-sions.-that the team ; was defeated by Swansea, .Wales, and England, victorywent . to. the better team. The superiority of the winning teams extended to all departments of the game. TOO MUCH TRAVELLING. ; One disadvantage , encountered during , the tour was. the; -: : excessive amount of travelling, he said'. For instance, the team played in Glasgow on Wednesday, at <Aldershot on Saturday, and;in Llanelly on Tuesday—three matches in six days, one in Scotland, one in England, and one in Wales. The travelling at times .became very tiring, and he thought that future teams should have their games centralised, and work from various headquarters. His team had actually been twice to Scotland-to play four matches. The visit to Lord Bledisloe's estate had been a pleasant interlude in the' tour, and the presentation to the present King had also delighted his Majesty, who had shown a great interest in New Zealand and had asked many questions about places he had visited.- : Mr: ■ Manchester said' that he was i greatly' impressed 'by the1 funeral of the late King George and by the display of sorrow and expressions of sympathy of the English people. He saw.the funeral procession and went through Westminster Hall after'waiting in a:queue from 8 o'clock until-'noon. ." . CONDITIONS IN GERMANY. After, the team had left England Mr. Manchester visited the Continent, and was. particularly , impressed by conditions: in Germany. The people there expressed a great regard for the English and ~ex-soldiers he had met were very much in favour of peace. He travelled through France to join his vessel' at Marseilles, and on the way honie was met by Rugby representatives, at every, port. -..-.- . : While in England .he played with the Harlequins Club and was invited to play for the. Barbarians, but was unable to dp so. Nevertheless he was made a member of the Barbarians, he being the second to have that honour conferred, upon him, and was. wearing the Barbarians' tie when he arrived.

In conclusion, Mr. Manchester said that; he was satisfied that general living conditions in New! Zealand compared more than favourably with any country ,he :had visited! and he was glad to be home again.