ALL BLACKS AT MANCHESTER.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1188, 10 December 1924, Page 9

ALL BLACKS AT MANCHESTER.

“MAGNIFICENT LIONS.” On the day that Lancashire played the All Blucks at the Old Tratford ground, Manchester, the Guardian had tho following very kindly appreciation of the visiting team : To-day it is Lancashire’s turn to stand up to the all-conquering New Zealanders at Rugby football. It cannot honestly be gainsaid that to most followers of the game this afternoon’s match on the great ground at Old Trall'ord looks rather like a revival of the old-time practice of public executions. As u show it is expected to be as popular as the older ceremony at Tybiufii, and the result is generally anticipated, among the friends of the patients, with much the same freedom from over,-confid-ence. Still it will be remembered that-the most formidable of all 1 Dominion fifteens was given one of il.s hardest games bv Lancashire. Besides, the courage that is without hope is not 'merely tlie more laudable form of that virtue; it often turns out also to be surprisingly efficient. Hugging these somewhat insubstantial reflections to their bosoms arid tolling themselves, with somewhat more doubtful sportsmanship, that anyhow a county fifteen is always a scratch side while the New Zealanders play matches on two days a week and train hard on all the others, the friends of the game will at any rate go to the ground in full expectation of seeing some wonderful play. Beyond doubt the New Zealanders bring to the game not only a physical equipment which it may be impossible to rival without that most wonderful of the world’s climates, but also a touch of the inventive genius which at long intervals break? out m English Rugby football in the lively brain of a Rotherham or a Stoop. The multitude at the Old Trafford Colosseum to-day may see our fifteen Lancashire Christians thrown to lions. But anyhow, they will he magnificent lions.