THE ALL BLACKS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 255, 25 September 1935, Page 7

THE ALL BLACKS

EASY WIN EXPECTED. THE AIATCII TO-AIORROW. WELSH INTERNATIONALS PLAY. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received September 25, 10.25 a.m. LONDON, Sept. 24. The following is tbe Abertillery and Cross Keys team to meet the All Blacks:— Brown. Woodhouse Idris-Griffitlis Ivor-Jones George Richardson Thornbury AVard Williams Iv. Jones Ficldes Morgan Norstcr E. Jones Keysay Critics expect the All Blacks to have a fairiy easy victory over Abertillery if they obtain the ball from a fair proportion of the scrummages. Their opponents are likely to be ragged behind the scrum, although they iiave a hefty pack, of which W al'd and Williams are internationals. Meanwhile, Combined Services and London Counties have arranged a fixture which will bo a trial for their respective matches against the New Zealanders, indicating that the authorities are taking greater trouble to choose the best sides.

Despite the fractured facial bones and the fact that he is unlikely to play for some time, Hadley has recommenced training.

VISITING NEW TERRITORY,

(By “Cross Bar.”)

On the occasion of the 1905 tour, the All Blacks concluded their itinerary, in so far as Great Britain was concerned, with their visit to Wales, but they did not oppose Abertillery and Cross Keys, their opponents of to-day. In all they played live matches in the “Land of the Leek,” coming down from Yorkshire to meet Wales and, after the memorable reverse, they met Glamorgan, Newport, Cardiff and Swansea in turn. The programme differed on tlie 1925 visit, lor the All Blacks met Swansea in their fifth match and Newport a few days later, but they then departed for Leicestershire and the Alicllands, returning later to fulfil their engagements -with Cardiff, Wales and Llanelly. The itinerary of the present tourists does not include a game with Glamorgan, the latter giving way to Abertillery and Cross Keys, two clubs which are more or less unknown to New Zealanders. However, from the records available it is apparent that, individually, both clubs are reasonably strong, Abertillery having emerged from Just season’s activities with a better record than Swansea, while Cross Keys lias furnished Wales with several good forwards in recent years. On the occasion of the Springboks’ tour in 1931 the visitors bad a close call against Abertillery-Cross Keys, so it would not be surprising to find the All Blacks having another close battle to-day. A peculiar feature of the itinerary of tlie 1935 party is that they will make three trips into Wales, lor on their return south from Scotland they will detour into Wales to play Llanelly, Cardiff and Newport. Towards the close of November they will again go north to meet Scotland in the Test game, then cross to Ireland, and return to Wales for tlie Test) match with the wearers of the Prince of Wales feathers. Proceeding to London, tlie All Blacks will meet a coriibined team drawn from the London Counties prior to playing what might prove to be their stiffest battle of the tour against England at Twickenham. While the travelling on the main line expresses in Great Britain is very comfortable and speedy, tbe programme of matches appears to involve a good deal of unnecessary travelling, and it will be regrettable should the" tourists be stale when the all-important Tests are entered upon.