THE NEW ALL BLACKS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19777, 26 October 1927, Page 8

THE NEW ALL BLACKS.

OMISSION OF MAORIS. MR. S. S. DEAN EXPLAINS. Prior to leaving by tha Aorangi last evening on a health trip Honolulu, Mr. S. S. Dean, chairman of the Management Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union, made a statement concerning the non-inclusion of Maori players in the All Black combination which is to tonr South Africa next year. "Unfortunately," said Mr. Dean, '"the colour question in South Africa is not looked upon with the same broadmindedness that is apparent in New Zealand. Having obtained reliable knowledge of the conditions which exist in South Africa, the New Zealand Rugby Union decided that it would be unwise to send players who would be exposed to insults. The Maori Rugby Advisory Board concurred in this view. A mutual understanding on the same subject was reached betewen the New Zealand and South African Unions." ' " Questioned regarding the position of manager of the team, Mr. Dean said in all probability he would be appointed early in December. Nominations for the position will close on November 30 The New Zealand Union had already decided not to select the captain and vice-captain until the men had been medically examined, some little time prior to the date of sailing. "As we have heard a good deal about the hardness of the grounds -in South Africa, it will interest your readers to know that I have had a letter from W. C. Zeller .on the subject." said Mr. Dean. "Zeller was over here in 1923 with the Springboks, and he says the grounds in the various centres are now nearly all well covered with turf. So apparently there will be no grounds harder than some to be fonnd in New Zealand after a spell of dry weather." Mr. Dean expects to return from EonoLilu in the first week in December.