“DONE VERY WELL.”

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 238, 5 September 1928, Page 6

“DONE VERY WELL.”

ALL BLACKS IN AFRICA

SPRINGBOK STANDARD HIGH.

CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 3. “I think that, everything considered, the All Blacks have done very well in South Africa,” said Mr T. Milliken, one of the selectors of the team, in the course of an interview.

The tom' must have been a hard one,considerably harder than the tour of the Old Country, Mr Milliken said. The standard of football in South Africa must be fairly high. The tour had not been quite so successful as some followers of the game in this country had anticipated, but he hoped that the reverses that had been met with would not be used as an argument to have the rules under which football was played in New Zealand altered. The tour had shown that South Africa had some very lino forwards.

Mr Mi I liken expressed pleasure at the fine victory of the All Blacks on Saturday, and added that he was gratified that the action of the selectors in including Nicholls in the team had been vindicated.

“In view of the climatic conditions and the great amount of travelling, I think the All Ulaeks have done "exceedingly well,” said Mr S. F. Wilson president of the Canterbury Rugbv Union. The forwards evidentlv had played very well. The New Zealand backs did not seem to be very good on attack, for, though they apparently saw plenty of the ball, they did not score any tries. The game, 'of course, was won by Nicholls. “I suppose we can now look forward with interest to the next visit of the Springboks to New Zealand,” said the reporter.

“I don’t think that will be for a good many years yet, though you never know,” Mr Wilson replied.

SPLENDID FINISH TO TOUR.

SOUTH AFRICAN RUGBY BOARD’S MESSAGE.

The following cablegram has been received by the New Zealand Rugby Lmon from tlie South African Rugby Board:—

‘ ‘Accept hearty congratulations great victory; richly earned; splendid finish to successful tour.”

1 0 New Zealand Rugby Union has replied as follows:

lour congratulations appreciated; trust toui* has been successful in every way and friendships between both countries further cemented.” A cablegram has also been sent to the team heartily congratulating it on its splendid victory.