SUCCESSFUL TOUR

Evening Star, Issue 22229, 6 January 1936, Page 10

SUCCESSFUL TOUR

END OF RUGBY SUPREMACY SURPASSED IN ALL ARTS OF CAME Preii Association-By Telegraph-Copyright LONDON, January 5. (Deceived January 6, at 12.10 p.m. Mr Howard Marshall, in the ‘ Daily , Telegraph,’ says; “New Zealand must be painfully surprised at the brilliance of Prince Obolensky’s running, though they encountered him on a wet day at Oxford. I will never forget how Gilbert raised his hand helplessly with a look of almost comic resignation as Prince Obolensky raced round him to score the first try. This has been a ricih season. We must he grateful to the New Zealanders for the stimulus ' they have given our game. They ran up against England when the side was at the top of its form; that is all. The ‘ News Chronicle ’ says: Ail things must come to an end, even the superiority of the New Zealanders at Rugby. They suffered- the heaviest defeat any ‘New Zealand side has ever experienced in these islands. In all the finer arts of Rugby, save only quick heeling from scrummages, England surpassed their rivals, whose attempts to : batter through the middle of the English defence were frustrated. They seemed to have no alternative method of attack. They had nobody to match speed with Prince Obolensky and skill with Gafney or Cranmer. Their backs were badly overplayed.” "I SIMPLY DID MY BEST” FRINGE OBOLENSKY’S MODESTY LONDON, January 5. (Received January 6, at 2 p.m.) “ It is difficult for me to believe that I am anything but an Englishman. As one I simply did Iny best at Twickenham. I will play again for England if selected,’! says Prince Obolensky, whoi expects shortly to receive his naturalisation papers. He is the son of a former officer in. the Tsar’s Imperial Horse Guards. He will return to Oxford next term, and will continue to play there, ‘where he is the first Russian to win his Rugby blue. None of the congratulations was more appreciated than those of the All Blacks. DESPITE INJURIES AND SICKNESS ALAN ADAMS OH ALL BLACKS LOCAL CRITICS CASTIGATED [Per United Press Association.] GREYMOUTH, January 6. Dr-Alan Adams, selector, interviewed by the ‘ Greymouth Star,’ expressed the opinion that the All Blacks tour had been most successful. The team was unfortunate in injuries and sicknesses, and a strain was placed upon players by the number of Thursday and Saturday fixtures arranged. _ Discussing Wales’ win, Dr Adams said that in 1905 New Zealand was beaten bv Wales, which was then at the peak in'Rugby football, and the 1924 team, with, its unbeaten record, was fortunate to find Welsh football at probably its weakest period since the war. Last season Home critics were agreed that Wales was fast approaching its pre-war standard, so that the performance of the 1935 team was splendid • against a country which had previously had wins against the 1905 New Zealand team, the 1908 Australian team, and had only lost by a penalty goal to the 1912 South African team. Although the record of 27 games played, with constant travelling and the necessity of keeping in regular training, is a big strain on players, with the likelihood of paleness developing, nothing can detract from the splendid victory gained by the English side . over _ _ our boys. It is obvious that the visits from New Zealand, South African, and Australian teams have developed the tactical play of the Home counties, who always had individual talent, but (Wales excepted) were generally content to rely on individual rather than combined effort. Successive tours to the Old Country have shown us that they have players of a calibre equal to our own, and the lessons learnt from touring sides have been taken to heart; and now England, Ireland, and Scotland are able to place in the field teams capable of measuring up to the best Dominion standards, all or which is for the good of the game._ “ I have always been of the opinion that Wales, despite a few lean seasons, has always been in the front rank in international Rugby. I am sure that the 1935 New Zealand team has proved a most popular body of men, both on and off the field, and worthy representatives in every respect of all that is best in New Zealand sport. They have been very fortunate in having at the head Mr Meredith, who has had a most difficult task, through the injuries to and the illness of many of his team. When the record of the tour is written I am sure we will find that no touring team from New Zealand has ever had as manager one more capable of looking after' the interests of the team and of upholding in every way his position as the representative of New Zealand’s national game.” Dr Adams concluded: “The one jarring note in connection with the tour has come from within New Zealand, where some ex-players rushed early into print and at the commencement of the tour were determined to see no good in the team or its manage, and. obsessed with the idea that the only footballers produced in New Zealand were of their time, and that, incidentally, they themselves had set up an unapproachable standard, adopted a most ungenerous attitude towards the touring side. The 1935 team can rest satisfied that, whilst they by their sportsmanlike conduct, both on and off the field, have built up a -wonderful reputation for themselves and New Zealand Rugby, the reputations of these vindictive writers have dropped considerably in the minds of all New Zealanders loving fair play.” NEW ZEALAND CONGRATULATIONS WELLINGTON, January 6. The New Zealand Rugby Union has cabled the Rugby Union, England:— The New Zealand Union extends hearty congratulations on your victory in the final test.