NOTE OF THE DAY.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 12750, 4 January 1936, Page 4

NOTE OF THE DAY.

A MOMENTOUS DAY FOR THE

ALL BLACKS

The All Blacks’ tour of the Homelands will conclude to-day with the playing of the test match against England at Twickenham. In all,, the New Zealanders have had 27 engagements and thdlr record is a good one with 24 wins, 2 losses and one draw. As is well-known, the tourists have not done quite so well as their predecessors but, for all that, the Dominion has every reason to be proud of its current representatives. It is a pity that there was any trouble over an intended visit to Brighton for training purposes in view of to-day's clash. What it will be found to have emphasised is that New Zealand rugbyites are overprone to attach 100 much importance to victory. After all, it’s the game that’s the thing. It will also serve to draw attention to the All Blacks’ increased anxiety on account of the lack of fitness of some of their best backs and their handicap in having to re-arrange their rearguard on lines which must- have occasioned a very considerable amount of surprise in this Dominion. The re-arrange-menf, however, affords clear evidence that it is not anticipated that the

forwards will disappoint- "With Hart on the- side-line and Oliver and Caughey not at their best a tremendous amount appears to be expected from the other backs. The contest to-day will recall the comfortable victory of; the 190-5 All Blacks under Gallalier and, in turn, ihe glorious win, in 1925. of Porter’s All Blacks, who lost Cyril Brownlie soon after the start of the contest on account of- the referee ordering him off for alleged illegal play. It is plain that the All Blacks will he on their mettle to-day and high hopes will be entertained in this Dominion that they mav be successful-