ALL BLACKS’ TOUR

Evening Star, Issue 18808, 5 December 1924, Page 3

ALL BLACKS’ TOUR

THE FINAL TEST. ENGLISH CAPTAIN’S VIEWS. Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, December 3. The 1 Daily Mail ’ interviewed Wakefield, captain of Dm English team to play the All Blacks on January 3. He predicted a splendidly even game if the English team was equal to the side that had been put into Dm field during the past five years. Tim New Zealanders were wonderful opportunists, and woo betide the opponents who made mistakes. The secret, of the All Blacks’ success was their sparkling individual support. Whenever a pass was bungled others wore always there. The New Zealanders bad not shown any supenority in the serums, but, nevertheless, they had scored heavily, proving that' they'wore a. hotter side than the 1900 team. . , •• If the All Blacks get a fair share of the hall from the. scrums and also keep command in the lino-outs (where they arc brilliant), they will severely^test their opponents, ’’ ho concluded. Sydney Sun Cable. TAKING NO CHANGES. INVITATIONS DECLINED. LONDON, December 3. The All Blacks are determined to maintain their unbeaten record, t hey arc taking no risks. . . The British Olympic Association intended entertaining the visitors at a banquet, at- which Mr Baldwin would preside over a gathering of leading English sportsmen, hut the New Zealanders, in Gcw of Dm strenuous fixtures ahead, have regretfully declined this ami many similar invitations. . The association is contenting itself with writing a letter to the All Blacks expressing appreciation of (heir wonderful record. -A. and N.Z. Cable. NOT HAVING ANY. LONDON, December 3. Several of Dm All Blacks have, refused . uhslaiitial offers from Northern Union clubs, preferring to remain amateurs.— .Sydney ‘ Sun ’ Cable. NEW INTERNATIONAL RECORD The 1024 All Blacks have established a new international record in being the only touring team to ronie out of Wales without having a defeat recorded against them (says “ Rive-eighths.'’ in Dm Wellington ‘Dominion'). Here is the past record : 1905-All Blacks lost to Wales 0-3. 1006--Springboks lost to Uardilf, OT7. 1903 -Wallabies lost to Llanelly. 5-8. Wallabies lost to Wales, 6-9. Wallabies lost to Swansea, 06. Wallabies lost to Cardiff, 8-24. 1912--Springboks lost, to Newport, 3-9. Springboks lost to Swansea, 0-3. It is a remarkable tribute to New Zealand's ability as a Rugby country (hat, apart from the nine victories which New Smith Whiles has scored against us. New Zealand has only been beaten twice in i- ternational matches —■ by Whiles, in Wales, in 1905, and by South Africa, at Auckland, in 1921. A complete list of New Zealand’s international Rugby contests up to date demonstrates that in a ■grand total of 147 matches played, New Zealand won 132. Only eleven matches have, been lost in that period, and four were drawn. The accumulation of points has been remarkable--3.609 against 645.