All Blacks’ Tour Of Africa May Begin In Mid-April

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22730, 31 August 1948, Page 8

All Blacks’ Tour Of Africa May Begin In Mid-April

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, Aug. 31. Information concerning sailings received by (he executive of the New Zealand Rugby Union yesterday points to the probability of the All Black team leaving for South Africa early next March and the tour beginning about mid-April. While this sailing date is considerably earlier than previously expected, it was decided to approve of it in view of the uncertainty of suitable alternatives in the meantime. The South African Rugby Board has advised that it hopes to send New Zealand a revised and improved itinerary which will allow for an interval of at least a fortnight before the first match. All arrangements for the tour had so far been held up pending notification from the shipping authorities regarding suitable sailings. Arrival About End of March A the meeting copies were received from the South African Rugby Board of correspondence between it and the shipping authorities. These disclosed that as far as could be seen flic Dominion Monarch would make her voyage to New Zealand after refitting on or about December 16. It was expected that she would leave New Zealand for Sydney. Melbourne, Fremantle, Durban and the Cape about the first week in March. On the basis of a run of 21 or 22 days to the Cape, the ship would arrive about the end of March. The shipping authorities could not say at present whether there was any real prospect ol' other suitable alternative sailings. The South African Rugby Board suggested accepting this sailing date, the tour beginning possibly about midApril. While this was much earlier titan normal, it would work out fairly for both sides. The South African season began on April 1 and it could be arranged for the All Blacks to have a good spell after ariving in order to get fit. Useful Spell Before Tour The acting-chairman, Mr. J. H. Parker, said that provided the team could have a useful spell after arriving in South Africa the early beginning of the tour would be no different than was the case with the All Black tours of Great Britain. A request for a ruling from the Taranaki Union on the status of Rugby players participating in inter-house matches with ineligible players was referred to the council. The Auckland Union notified that, in view of the visit of the Fijian team at the end of the season, it would be unable to accept a visit from the Randwick (N.S.W.) Club's senior team. It was decided to advise the N.S.W. Union accordingly. M. Corner, the former Auckland All Black half-back, was appointed to act as coach of the Fijian team during its tour.