THE ALL BLACKS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 137, 24 May 1928, Page 3

THE ALL BLACKS

ARRIVAL AT DURBAN WELCOMED ENTHUSIASTICALLY EVERYWHERE. RESULTS OF THE TOUR ALREADY BEING GUESSED AT. (United Press Assn.-By Cable— Copyright.) I Australian and N.Z Press Assn.) Durban, May 23. . T [ l oU ? lng welcome was given the All Blacks on arrival at Durban today. The team landed in excellent fettle and glad the tedious trip of five weeks had ended. The team practised on tne Durban ground this morning. Great admiration was expressed for the stylo of the New Zealanders, who are confident the team will be victorious. The party was met at the wharf by the Mayor and officials of the Rugby Union. The official luncheon was a great success, wonderful enthusiasm being shown. The "Natal Witness” is emphatic that the New Zealanders will lose the two first games, also the Transvaal match. The Springboks expect the All Blacks to win the first test, but lose the others A. Reid, a 1905 Springbok, said that after the first six games the South Africans will have learned all the New Zealanders can teach them. Newspapers devote pages to the arrival of the team. Everywhere the team goes they are cheered jubilantly and the hospitality is unbounded. The team were overwhelmed by the spontaneous reception. The team were weighed and the average is 13 stone—backs 11.10, forwards 14.3. THE UNION DECIDES. FIRST MATCH TO BE PLAYED. Wellington, May 23. The New Zealand Rugby team Is to keep to the original itinerary drawn up for the South African tour, despite the fact that the Euripides may be a few days late in arriving at Capetown. The management committee of tlie New Zealand Union decided to-night to cable to the ifcinager of the New Zealand team and also to the South African Union, that they approved of the opening match of the tour being played on May 30. The following cablegram was received from the South African RugbyUnion:—“The following is the material of our wireless message to Mr. Hornig on the 19th: Ship expected Capetown early Sunday. From sporting aspect vital fixture should stand. Cancellation means bitter public disappointment and great loss ’ The following reply was received: ‘Pleased to play first match as arranged if we arrive Sunday.’ ” “The more 1 think of it, the more 1 am satisfied that we should play the first match,” remarked Mr. Dean. “The South African Union has gone out of its way to make all arrangements for our team, and 1 think we should fall in with them, if possible. The South African Union has arranged an easy match for the opening, and it does not matter greatly whether we win the opening match or not. 1 move that we cable to Mr. Hornig that we have decided that the opening match should be played and that the South African Union also be cabled to this effect.” Mr. E. Wylie agreed that Mr. Hornig should be cabled to, but considered that the final decision should rest with the manager. Mr. Dean: What does it matter if we do lose the first match ? The South African Union has offered to put the match off until the Thursday. Mr. E. McKenzie: We should certainly play the first match, if it entails no hardship upon the team. Mr A. C. Kitto: We do not wish to lose a match if we can help it. Mr. Dean’s motion to the effect that Mr. Hornig should be cabled to, that the New Zealand Union approve of the opening match against the country clubs at Capetown being played, and that a copy of the cablegram be sent to the South African Union, was carried. An amendment by Mr. E. Wylie, leaving the decision to the manager, lapsed for want of a seconder.