ALL BLACKS’ TOUR

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 149, 24 May 1928, Page 3

ALL BLACKS’ TOUR

TEAM ARRIVES AT DURBAN. ROUSING WELCOME. (Australian Press Association). DURBAN, Alay 23. A rousing welcome was given the All Blacks when they arrived at Durban to-day. The team landed in excellent fettle. They are glad that the tedious trip of fivo weeks has ended. The party were met at tho wharf by tho Mayor and officials of the Rugby- Union. Tho official luncheon w'as a great success, wonderful enthusiasm being shown. The newspapers devote pages to the arrival of the All Blacks. Everywhere the team goes there is great cheering and the hospitality is unbounded. The team are overwhelmed by the spontaneous reception. The Natal Witness is emphatic that the New Zealanders will lose tho two first games. Botha lteid, a 1905 Springbok, stated that after the first six games the Africans would have learned all the New Zealanders could teach them.

The team practised on the Durban ground this morning. Great admiration was expressed for their style. New Zealanders resident hero arc confident that the team will be victorious.

KEEPING TO ITINERARY

FIRST MATCH NEXT WEEK ' Per Press Association.

WELLINGTON, Alay 23

The New Zealand Rugby team is to keep to tiie original itinerary drawn up for the Sowth African tour despite the fact that the Euripides may be a few days late in arriving at Capetown. The management committee of the New Zealand Union decided to-night to cable to the manager of the New Zealand team and also the South African Union that they, approved of the opening match of the tour being played -on Alay 30. The following cablegram was received from the South Airican Rugby Union:—“Tho following is the material part of our wireless message to Air 1 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 lollowing reply was received: ‘Pleased to. play first match as arranged if we arrive Sunday.’ ” “The more I think of it the more I am satisfied that we should play this first match,” remarked Mr Dean. “The South African Union has gone out of its way to make all arrangements for our team, and L 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 tho opening match or not. 1 move that we cable to Air Hornig that we have decided that tiie opening match as arranged should be played and that the South African Union also bo cabled to this effect.”

Air E. Wylie agreed that Air Hornig should bo cabled to, but "considered that the final decision should rest with tho manager. AH Dean: What does it matter if wo do. lose the lint match? The South African Union has offered to put the match off until the Thursday. Air E. AlcKenzie: Wo should certain,play the first match if it entails no hardship upon tho team. Air A. C. Kitto: We do not wish to lose a match it' wo can help ;t. Air Dean's motion to the effect that Air Hornig should be cabled to stating that the New Zealand Union approved of the opening match against the Country Clubs at Capetown bein', played, and that a copy of the cable be sent to the South African Union, was carried, an amendment by Air E. Wylie, leaving the decision to tho manager, lapsing for want of a seconder.

The All Blacks play their first match on May 30 at Capetown against the Combined Western Province Country Clubs.

A LATCH AT NAPIER

Per Press Association. NAPIER. Alay 23,

A representative Rugby match between Napier and Hastings' combined and Wairoa, the first of the season, was played here to-day in ideal conditions. A creditable exhibition, in which many players gave specially good performances, resulted in a win for the local team by 10 points to 9.