ALL BLACKS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 7 October 1924, Page 5

ALL BLACKS

OPINION OF TEAMS. BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT. Received October 7, 10.50 a.m. LONDON, October 6. The All Blacks visited Wembley and met many old friends in the New Zealand Pavilion. They were delighted with the Stadium, and suggested that a charity match might be played there, but it was pointed out that the turf would not be ready in time after its rough usage recently. Members of the team expressed the opinion that the opposition they had encountered hitherto was not very formidable, the best being Newport. They agreed that the hack division is the weak spot in the English fifteen, the players lacking ;n speed, initiative, and swift combination, but the English forwards were worthy of the greatest respect.—Reuter. VISIT TO BATTLEFIELDS. Received October 7, 10.30 a.m. LONDON, October 6. The All Blacks will visit the battlefields of France and lay a wreath on G allagher’s grave.—Sun Cable. NORTH MIDLANDS MATCH. PROBABLE KEEN STRUGGLE. Late reports from the Old Country would show that in the counties covered by the term North Midlands, say, Yorkshire, Chester, Derbyshire, Lancashire, Rugby has been pretty strong and of a good standard, and has consequently increased in public estimation. There .will be many good clubs from which to select a team, and provided they have, as is almost certain, had practice together and requisite training so as t-o, ensure combination and individual condition, they are pretty certain to prove the. hardest nut to crack which has yet been placed before our team on the tour. A close perusal and study of the reports of the matches played, especially the hard contests in Wales, have served to demonstrate that the team has been steadily playing itself into form, that they are well able to stand the strain of the hardest struggle, that their defence is much sounder than when they opened the tour and possibly than some were inclined to admit, and lastly that they are able to seize the opportunities presented in the critical portion of a game when the play has been against them. The}’ have pi avers of individuality who can combine when required, and also seize chances to strike on their own when the occasion seems opportune. If the opposing team is as good as expected the match will be the best try-out yet experienced, and the play and the result will he to some extent an indication of their chances in the big international fixtures next month against Ireland and Wales, and in January against All England. The importance of the match will make everyone await with the keenest feelings of anticipation cable news of Thursday morning.