ALL BLACKS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 5 December 1924, Page 8

ALL BLACKS.

IN SERIOUS TRAINING. jx UAims—rasss''' association—cori'KituiT LQNDON, Dec. 3. The All Blacks are determined to maintain their unbeaten record, and they are taking no risks. The British Olympic Association intended entertaining the visitors at a banquet, at which the Premier (Air Stanley Baldwin) would preside over a gathering of the leading English sportsmen. The New Zealanders, however, in view of the strenuous fixtures ahead, have regretfully declined this and many similar invitations. The association is, therefore, contenting itself with writing a letter to the All Bfacks, expressing appreciation of their wonderful record. ENGLISH CAPTAIN’S VIEWS. LONDON, Dec. 3. Several. All Blacks have refused substantial offers from Northern Union clubs, preferring to remain amateurs. The Daily Alail interviewed Wakefield, the captain of the English team to play the All Blacks on January 3; He predicted a splendidly even game if the English team was equal to the sides that had been put into the field during the past five years. The New Zealanders were wonderful opponents, and woe betide the opponents who made mistakes. The secret of the All Blacks’ success was their’ sparkling individual support. Whenever a pass was bungled others were always* there. The New Zealanders had not shown superiority in the scrums. Nevertheless they had scored heavily, proving that they were a better side than the team °£ “If the. All Blacks get a fair share of the ball from the scrums,” said Wakefield, “they will also keep command in the line-outs, where they are brilliant, and will severely test their opponents. LAST MATCH.IN WALES. TO-MORROW’S FIXTURE. (By “Spectator.” There was nothing inspiring about the report of the match against Llanelly, played as it was on a wet’ ground and quite evidently with the W elshman out to play a spoiling game. It was an extra Welsh fixture which was not on the itinerary of the 1995 tour. It is somewhat difficult to know why it was included, especially as more than half the Welsh team, were internationals. The cabled report definitely makes statements of more than vigorous play amongst the forwards, the Welshmen apparently hopmg in this way to take the utmost advantage of the conditions unfavourable to back play and so to possibly score a victory. And but for the fact that nr the' penalty kick by Jenkins, which " ove r the bar, the ball was touched by Brownlie, the margin would have been very small indeed. The score recalls the narrow wins the 1905 team had in the Newport, Cardiff and Swansea matches. As was to be expected on a wet ground and with a gieasv ball, many good ononings were missed. On several occasions both teams had force downs against them. It is worth notice, however, that all the scores were the result of passing rushes by the hacks, which seems to that the play was not altogether so scrappy as reported. The number of free kicks and the statement 'that Llanelly should have been more often penalised in the second spell is an indication of the very aggressive spoiling tactics. The* All Blanks will not be sorry to be out of \\ ales. The decisive victories already recordel over the Midland and Northern Counties earlier in the tour points to a good win to-morrow over E*ast Alidlands. It will be generally hoped that the weather will be favourable and give t_e onporfcunity for good onen play , Ne w Zealanders do not want their team to win matches Unless they can show good football, and if an opposing team can give better displays they will be the first to give credit to their opponents. As has been said before in these columns, the of all supnort- . rs of Rugby is that the plav shall he as good as possible n lv l the team olavmor the best Rugby win the matches. The period between Decern- j her 13 to January 3, with the matches) Combined Services, London Counties (second match) and finally --ngland. will be of the very keenest interest to all.