MEMORABLE TOUR

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 240, 7 September 1928, Page 7

MEMORABLE TOUR

ALL BLACKS' FAREWELLED. REMARKABLE POPULARITY. SOUTH AFRICAN RUGBY BOARDS MESSAGE. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (Special to Press Association.) Received September 7, 8.40 a.m. CAPETOWN, Sep*. 6. A wonderful farewell was given the All Blacks to-day when they went aboard the vessel that will take tnem to Australia, en rout© to Now Zealand. Cheering crowds swarmed the wharf in a great tribute 'to xho popularity of tho New Zealanders. Tho most popular man on the All Black side was Andy Mercer, tire trainer who, with his genial jiersonality, won the hearts of all with whom he came in contact. He was given many, handsome presents from lifelong friends he has made in South Africa.

The whole New Zealand team were showered with trinkets, which will commemorate a wonderfully memorabLo 1928 Rugby tour. BLACKS’ SPORTING SPIRIT.

Mr A. J. Pienaar, president of the South African Rugby Board, publishes tho following message from the board:

“Wliat the board appreciates specially is the ready manner in which the New Zealand team fell in with our arrangements. Their play of the first and last matches are instances of tho generous sporting spirit with which they met us.

“Wo wish them all a happy homeward voyage and a safe return, and wo trust that thev will carry with them pleasant; recollections of their strenuous time in South Africa.

“Their visit has aroused in an unprecedented manner interest in our game. All our unions have derived benefit from mutual interest in the respective countries, and I trust that that friendships have also been stimulated.”

TOUR UNQUALIFIED SUCCESS. Mr Hornig, the New Zealand manager, interviewed on the eve of sailing, stated that the tour had been an unqualified success. Tho result of the Tests had been most happy. i Mr Hornig was looking forward to the time a few years hence when the issue would bo settled in a great game before a groat crowd at Athletic Park, in Wellington. Mr Hornig was of opinion that an even division of the honours in the Tests was a fin© tiling for the gam© m both countries. It provided a stimulant to Rugby, which was better than indisputable supremacy. ARDUOUS MATCHES.

Although the All Blacks prepared for hard games, tho matches turned out to bo even more arduous than they, at first thought. The result of the strong opposition they encountered was that they had to forsake the style of forward play general in New Zealand for the solid scrummaging game customary here, and it was only halfway through the tour that they really settled down to tho type of play necessary. It was a compliment to tho New Zealand forwards, under tho circumstances, that they were finally able to hold tlieir own with the Springbok pack and secure an even division of the Tests. Mr Hornig concluded by expressing regret that tlio All Blacks were reaving but ho hoped they had forged a small link in the chain of Empire . Ml* Hornig assured the boutii Atncans of a warm reception when they again toured New Zealand.