ALL BLACKS RETURN

Evening Star, Issue 21170, 2 August 1932, Page 8

ALL BLACKS RETURN

WARM WELCOME AT WHARFSIDE SUCCESSFUL TEAM-BUILDING COMPLIMENTS TO MANAGER AND PLAYERS [Pm United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, August 2. Looking happy and well and justifiably proud of the magnificent Bledisloo Cup, the token of their success against the elect of Australia, the All Blacks returned by the Zealandia from Sydney to-day. They met with a warm reception at the Queen’s wharf when they disembarked. Mr Pownall, president of the New. Zealand Rugby Union, was among tha first to extend congratulations to tha manager (Mr Wallace), Captain Kilby, and the remainder of the party. Ho was accompanied by the chairman of the Management Committee (Mr Deans) and the members of the committees of both the New Zealand and the Wellington Unions. Relatives and friends waited behind the barriers. Congratulating the team, Mr Pownall said it was realised that they wera sending away a young team that had not a very great deal of experience in, big match play, but he thought the selectors did the wise thing in choosing youag blood, particularly in view of the proposed tour of Great Britain in four years’ time.- The committee showed wisdom in appointing Mr Wallace to manage the team. “We knew that whatever there was in the team he would bring it out. This team' has had a very good trip, and owe New Zealand a very great debt. I think they, will acknowledge it, and I hope when they go to their homes that they will do their best to pass on their knowledge, not only to their own teams, but also to their opponents.” In the course of his reply Mr Wallace said the forwards were the fastest of, any team that had gone to Australia,; and the backs improved out of sight.: He paid a tribute to the work of the trainer and masseur (Syd. Murray),: who had to be thanked for the fact that there was not one case of septio poisoning on the tour. He had been busy night and day attending to the players. Mr Kilby said New Zealand had every reason to he proud of these hoys.;. “ This country is in the process of team' building, and by the time the English' tour copies along we will have a very fine team.”

A HAPPY FAMILY PROCTER AND MAX STILL SUFFERING All the team returned feeling fit, except Procter, who never sufficiently recovered from his knee injury and concussion to be fit enough to give of hia best, and D. Max, who is still on crutches, but expects to be recovered soon. ... The high regard in which the team held Kilby and Steere, captain and vice, captain, was evident when the playeis met to make a presentation to each of the pair. The mementoes were handed over by Mr Wallace, the manager, who said the team recognised that in Kilby it had a first-class captain. The team had a great affection both for him and for Steere. . They had sat with him on the Selection Committee, and had been very fair, their one object being to consider the best interests of the team. ... „ , . .. Kilby spoke highly of the support received from the members of the team. Off the field it had been wonderful, and on the field he could not ask for a better side to lead. His instructions, which had only been rquests, had been carried out without hesitation. Steere also paid a tribute to the spirit that had existed among the players throughout the tour.