ALL BLACKS’ DATE OF DEPARTURE NOT YET CERTAIN

Grey River Argus, 15 March 1949, Page 6

ALL BLACKS’ DATE OF DEPARTURE NOT YET CERTAIN

WELLINGTON, March 14. At its meeting to-day the New Zealand Rugby Union decided to advise affiliated unions that there was still no official advice as to when the Tamaroa will leave for South Africa with the All Blacks. Present information is that the team will leave Auckland on April 13. Unions will be informed that it is intended to assemble the players in Wellington at least five days before the ship sails. While in Wellington the players will be oufitted, attend official functions, and have training sessions. If possible, the making of an instructional Rugby film will be proceeded with while the All Blacks are training. The tourists will leave Wellington in sufficient time to have one clear day in Auckland, before embarking. It is expected that the team will be received by the Gover-nor-General, Sir Bernard F’reyberg, while in Auckland. The manager, Mr J. H. Parker, said that if the ship left on April 13, the team would have about three weeks in South Africa before its first match. That would be adeouate for training purposes. If, however, the departure from New Zealand was delayed by a week, more training would be required in this country.