ALL BLACKS' CRITICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18894, 17 December 1924, Page 11

ALL BLACKS' CRITICS.

TIMES WRITER'S DEFENCE. NEPIA AND LEAGUE OFFER. A. and N.Z.—Times. LONDON. Dec. 15 The Rugby writer of the Times describes certain criticism of the All Blacks as illinformed and spiteful. It is rather ironical, he says, that the activities of the referee in Saturday's match against the Combined Services have been seized upon by the less generous and more parochialminded of the All Blacks' critics as further proof that the basis of their play lies in deliberate foul tactics.

Most teams, says the writer, have players who are ar, to lose their heads, but to those wht hn'e watched the All Blacks in most of their matches, anything mo;c monstrous or rather ludicrous than this accusation could hardly be imagined.

The Athletic News says the true story of Nepia and the Rugby League is that an intermediary, acting on behalf of several clubs, asked Nepia's terms for an engagement in England. Nepia's quotation, serious or otherwise, was £1500. Needless to say negbtiations were not entered upon.

The paper says it believes that only once has a £1000 bonus been paid for a transfer. Apart from any monetary consideration, however, the situation is still governed by the fact that no New Zealand player of either code can play Rugby or League football in England until he Incompleted a two years' residential qualification.

The All Blacks play Hampshire, at Portsmouth, to-day. This will be the 26th match of their tour and will leave only two more games to be played in England to complete their itinerary. Thei>3 is no reason to doubt that tho New Zealanders will have another comfortable win, judging on form shown in England this season. After playing England at Twickenham on January 3, the All Blacks visit France, where they will play two games against French teams.