All Blacks Jaded By Strenuous Travelling'

Northern Advocate, 17 August 1949, Page 7

All Blacks Jaded By Strenuous Travelling'

THE extensive travelling and hard games during the past, three weeks were responsible for the lifeless display by the All Blacks in the second test against South Africa at Johannesburg on Saturday. , U 7, This is the opinion of Mr I. (“Bunny ) Innlayson, oi Whangarei, famous All Black forward who toured Springbokland in 1928. .. ' ~ , Any team which tours South Airica must pass thiough a strenuous period, Mr Finlayson said.

•‘Although the experiences of the 1928 team were borne in mind when the 1949 itinerary was drawn up, it was apparent to me that the present All Blacks would find the period between the firs', and second tests the most trying.” he added. ‘‘On some trips, three days and two nights are spent on the train. “In the daytime the heat compels the traveller to remove all clothing possible, but at night one cannot find enough' garments to keep warm. “Such trips must cause athletes to become jaded and sluggish. “The All Blacks have done much travelling since the first test. ‘‘They have shown good form • in Transvaal and Rhodesia in recent matches, all of which have been tough battles. “Apparently the rarefied air had not affected them. “If it did on Saturday it was probably becayse of their being jaded through travelling and finding the going so much harder.” Mr Finlayson commented that the 1928 team liad easy games in Rhodesia whereas the present team had two hard struggles. “The two Transvaal provincial games were the toughest of the 1928 tour,” he said.

Russell Sports Club

Assisted and encouraged by the physical welfare and recreation branch of the Internal Affairs Department, an increasing nunjjber -of districts in Northland are forming indoor recreation clubs for healthy winter entertainment. Newest of these is the Russell Sports Club, which has 46 members, ranging in age from 14 upwards. The club is performing a real service in providing wholesome social activity for the community. Energetic workers are the president (Mr Hilton Cook), secretary (Mr Don Brooker) and the committee, comprising Misses J. Gibbs, L. Brooker. P. Grant, Messrs R. Carr and M. Arlidge. Tabic tennis, teniquoit and darts are played. The club is fortunate in having a line hall, which will be suitable for badminton, volley-ball and indoor bowls, which are to be introduced later. Table tennis is very popular, and matches are being arranged with neighbouring clubs. The first fixture is with the Opua Sports and Social Club, which was one of the first clubs formed before the war. These inter-club engagements will enable members to establish closer contact with other groups throughout the Bay of Islands and Northland.

Outstanding Referee Mr Jack Gentry, of Whangarei, is one of the most impressive Rugby referees seen in Northland for many years. He came to Northland from Wellington last Decemeber and in all his outings with the whistle in club games has been the subject of much favourable comment.

Cyclists For Auckland

For the second time this season, a group of Bay of Islands cyclists will take part in a major cycling event at Auckland. The fixture is the Waitcmata Sports Club’s 48-mile open race at Mangere next week. It. is expected there will be at least 80 starters. The Bay team will, on present indications, consist of Don Taylor (Peria), Merv. Linwood 'Kaikohe), Frank Veza (Hevekino), W. Parr (Okaihau), A. Harris (Okaihau), S. Dver (Moerewa), and R. King, G. Morgan, D. Bagshaw, G. Petersen and P. Pettit, all of Kaikohe. Taylor, it may be remembered, performed well at an earlier fixture at Pukekohe this season, when he finished second.

The big crowd at Rugby Park on Saturday saw him in action in the junior curtain-raiser and with the primary schoolboys. The manner in which he keeps right up with the play, his smart movements, crisp decisions, perfect control and general bearing, plus his obvious expert knowledge of the rules, are very apparent. His quick, neat efficiency is always instrumental in making games attractive for spectators and players alike. Mr Gentry refereed in Wellington for five seasons. In his first season he sat for his new Zealand ticket.

He was awarded 795 per cent, missing his ticket by J per cent. Despite frequent approaches by fellow referees, he did not sit for his ticket again—on principle, he said. Without it he was not eligible to referee senior football, but contented himself with senior B and lower grade games. His ability was recognised, but without the ticket he could not control top-line games. He intends to sit for his Northland arid New Zealand tickets shortly, however.

Should he succeed—and there seems little doubt that he will—his services are sure to be sought for .major games. Mr Gentry is, a grand Rugby enthusiast and is most-helpful, particularly to young players. ’ On a recent evening he gave an hour’s talk to the Whangarei Brake Shield'team on rules, and last night spent half an hour with the team answering questions on a variety of points. In his younger days, Mr Gentry was a fine first five-eighths. He played for Wellington Colts for three years.