WORLD-BEATING FOOTBALLERS

Evening Star, Issue 22271, 24 February 1936, Page 12

WORLD-BEATING FOOTBALLERS

HORE'S OPINION OF BRITISHERS DISSENSION AMONG ALL BLACKS DENIED Speaking on Saturday night at a “ welcome home ” tendered by his firstfifteen team mates, Jack Hore, the Southern Football Club’s All Black forward, said that the English team was definitely superior to the All Blacks, and that a wellselected fifteen from Britain would beat anything in the world at the present time. They had many rugged backs, and on astounding reserve of top-notch players. As regards the Swansea match, Hero contended that the All Blacks were beaten by a better team, but they were just a little unlucky to be defeated in the Wales game. Whatever had been said regarding dissension in the AH Black team was so much nonsense, Hore added. Naturally, where there were 29 husky men together all the time they would not see eye to eye with one another, but arguments were only of a trivial nature, and the team was “ a successful happy family.” It had been the first to congratulate its conquerors, and it had enjoyed great popularity; in fact, the entertainment of the team had at times been rather overdone, though, of course, well meant; Concerning individual players, Hore especially named Sadler, Mitchell, and the English centre three-quarter Woollen He described Sadler as the greatest half-back in the world to-day. Mitchell, he said, was a fine footballer, and had improved out of all recognition during the tour. Wooller greatly impressed him as a fast, elusive back and a strenuously active man for his size and weight. ■ While the All Blacks’ scrum work was not all that it might have been during the early stages of the tour, it improved with practice, until it was a great force to reckon with.

The Canadian trip had been a pleasant one, the games being especially enjoyable. The players were young and inexperienced, but they werp all “ triers,” and one had to admire their grit. Their tackling was exceedingly good. Altogether, the trip was something well worth aiming for, and Here advised keen young footballers to keep a place in an All Black team steadily in view. It was an unforgettable experience. The hospitality was remarkable, though the tour was strenuous, taken up by hard practices, usually of an hour and a half’s duration. Training facilities at Home were awkward, grounds often being half an hour’s journey from their hotel, and New Zealanders should appreciate their luck in having grounds so handy. There was no excuse for any player who remained unfit. Football here was played under ideal conditions, he observed, and players enjoyed better treatment from their various unions and clubs. Instead of “ kicking ” and complaining they should have nothing but praise for the administration of the game here. Each member present at the function spoke feelingly of the homecomer’s value to his club, on whose behalf Mr W. B. Kindley (patron) and Mr V. G. Cavanagh, jun., (coach) welcomed Hore, in a manner which bespoke his great popularity as a player and a friend.