Allen to Captain All Blacks

Grey River Argus, 24 May 1947, Page 6

Allen to Captain All Blacks

F.R. Allen, captain of the Grammar Old Boys senior fifteen in Auck-

land, has been chosen as captain of the All Black team to tour Australia. The choice was made by the selectors and confirmed by the executive of the New Zealand Rugby Union at a meeting in Wellington yesterday.

Before the war Allen was a Canterbury representative. After he enlisted in the Second N.Z.E.F. most of his service was with the Third Division, in the Pacific, but he joined the 27th Battalion of the Second Division in Italy before the final action leading to the entry into Trieste. It was as a member of the battalion team that he established the reputation which led to his early selection for the Kiwi team in its tour of Great Britain.

In Italy Allen represented the Ninth Brigade and the Eight Army. At that time he played chiefly as first five-eighth, but on the Kiwi tour he became best known as a second five-eighth and his partnership with J. B. Smith at centre was highly praised. A clever, elusive and intelligent back, Alien’s play this season has reached a high standard, and in the final trial at Wellington on Saturday he was the most resourceful and skilful back on the ground. The vice-captain of the All Black team will be F. G. Hobbs, of Christchurch, a very fine line-out forward and a strong and fast man in the loose.