ALL BLACKS ON TOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18888, 10 December 1924, Page 10

ALL BLACKS ON TOUR.

DOINGS IN ENGLAND.

WEMBLEY STADIUM MATCH.

PROPOSAL BEING DISCUSSED.

By Telegraph— Association —Copyright.

(Received 8.5 p.m.)

A. and N.Zl—Sun.

LONDON. Dec. 8.

The Star states that it has practically been decided that the All Blacks snail meet a combined team of English, Ir:.sh, and Welsh players at the Wembley Stadi im. The proceeds of the mai;ch would be devoted to charities in the respective countries.

From other sources it is learned that the proposal emanated from a group of Cardiff sportsmen, but at present is purely nebulous. The English Rugby Union has not heard anything officially. It is understood that the New Zealanders are riot disposed to supplement the original fixture list.

Reports are still in circulation to the effect that the Northern Union's agents have made tempting offers to leading All Blacks to remain in England at the conclusion of the tour. " Feelers " were sent out after the first match of the tour. The offers were renewed after the Ireland game. Nepia, Cooke. Nicholls, Richardson and the Brownlies are the most sought after. It is stated that Nepia was offered £1500 and a salary. The offers have been summarily rejected, but the agents are reported to be persisting m their efforts.

The New Zealanders had a most enjoyable tour of the Midlands. After the match against the Combined Services on Saturday the team will take up secluded quarters 011 the south coast where the fifteen to play against England will bo selected and will undergo special preparation.

LACK OF A COACH.

NEED KEENLY FELT.

BADELEY PERFORMS DUTY.

[BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Tuesday.

Letters . which were received in Wellington from members of the All Blacks party indicate that during the early part of the tour there was a strong feeling among members of the team and those associated with them, that unless the form generally improved, the outlook for the remainder of the tour could not be regarded as bright. The need of a coach was keenly felt, and the position was not improved by -the action of the English Rugby T in deciding against an official coach and train sr. The team, therefore, agreed to make use of the services available from its own ranks, and, according to reports by letter, 0. Badeley, who captained the team oil tine preliminary tour to Australia, was appointed to act as coach. This would account for the fact that he has taken part in only two matches.

CRITICISM OF REFEREE. THE LANCASHIRE MATCH. REMARKS BY MR. DEAN. . After the All Blacks match against Lancashire, they were entertained at dinner by the local Rugby committee, Mr. A. T. Brettargh, the president, occupying the chair. In reply to the toast of " Our Guests," Mr. S. S. Dean, the manager of the All Blacks team, rather criticised the conduct of the match, and described some of the play as '"ragged." He said they had come to this country to "play the game," and if the referee had been more strict in the early stages there would have been less "ragged" play, and he "would leave it at that."

In reply to the toast of his health, Mr. D. Hellewell, of Yorkshire, the-referee, said he went on the field to referee Rugby Union football, and if teams, whether touring or home, did not put out players to play Rugby Union football, then it was not the fault of the referee. The game had.given him very little satisfaction; somehow or other it "did not go," and it was the second he had refereed and the third he had seen. .

It, mvght have been his fault, but the keenness that had been referred to amounted to little 01- nothing. The New Zealanders were followers of the great side of 1905 with their wonderful record, and ho wished to say to them, " Do not let the result bo greater than the game." They were teaching us a lesson in football, but he begged of them " not to play .to the result."