RUGBY TEST MATCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20595, 20 June 1930, Page 12

RUGBY TEST MATCH.

ALL BLACKS IN DUNEDIN.

RECEPTION TO THE TEAM.

GREAT LOCAL INTEREST SHOWN.

[BY TELEGRAPH- —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] DUNEDIN, Thursday.

The members of the New Zealand Rugby team arrived in Dunedin from Oamaru to-day.

At a reception, the Mayor, Mr. R. S. Black, said ho hoped the members of the team would have a fine day and a game like the Dunedin match the proyious Saturday, and played in the same excellent spirit. It had been one of. the finest games ho had ever watched. Mr. H. Harris, president of the Otago Rugby Union, welcomed the team, and said ho hoped they would have a good game. A record gate was already assured. Ho might say that the interest being shown in the test gamo was greater in Dunedin than on tho occasion of any similar match. Tho public had followed the playing of tho trial games with interest, and ho was quito suro that tho gamo put up by New Zealand would bo equal to tho best traditions of New Zealand football.

Mr. E. McKenzie, manager of the New Zealand team, said the players realised that they had a stiff proposition ahead of them. They would take the field with the full knowledge that the traditions of New Zealand football were in thoir keeping, and if they were beaten on Saturday, they would take this beating in tho spirit of sportsmanship and endeavour to do their best In the future tests to make good. Tho selection of the New Zealand team had given tho selectors a good doal of consideration. They wero plticing {i team on tho field ■on Saturday which they believed would be as strong as any team ever picked to represent the Dominion. Mr. C. G. Porter, captain of the team, said they were looking forward to the game. They realised that if they were to win they would have to do their best. The British team was an exceptionally fine combination; and the New Zealanders fully respected their opponents* ability as footballers. Dr. Adams, president of tho New Zealand Union, thanked the Otago union for all it had done and was doing in looking after the British team and tho New Zealand team, and also for the very capable arrangements made for the playing of the matches. GAME BEFORE THE TEST. PORTER RAISES AN OBJECTION. [BY TELEGRAPH—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] OAMARU, Thursday. " Personally I don't think it right that we should have to play a match so near to the test," declared C. G. Porter, captain of the New Zealand Rugby team, last evening. " I hope that in future the New Zealand Rugby Union will not ask us to do it. Wo should have had the opportunity of acquiring combination .elsewhere, and earlier than this. It is not right to ask tho New Zealand team to meet and play a game there days before a test match." Porter's remarks were made in reply to Mr. A. Mays, manager of tho North Otago team, who said the Oamaru footballers and public were very pleased to have had the opportunity of seeing tho All Blacks in action. He understood that the Internationtal Board rules prevented the team from assembling more than three days before a match. Mr. G. B. Stevenson, president of the North Otago Union, said North Otago had not wanted tho All Blacks to play in Oamaru so soon before the test, but wanted tho North South Island match staged in Oamaru for the football education of tho pupils of many secondary schools, which wero within easy road distance of Oamaru. WAITAKI SCHOOL VISITED. ADVICE GIVEN TO BOYS. tBY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] OAMARU, Thursday. A visit to the Waitaki School was paid by the All Black Rugby team this morning. The team had a practice run in the school grounds. Mr. F. Milner, rector of tho school, said that the boys rated the All Blacks as demi-gods, especially on the evo of a test which would be a great trial of strength. The school had produced two of the 1930 All Blacks in Hazlett and Hart.

Tho captain, C. G. Porter, told tho boys that to play Rugby they had to take notice of what was told them and they must persovore and train. Rugby was one of the finest sports in the world. It taught one to play both football and the gamo of life, in both of which ,one must tako hard knocks and say nothing. It was the height of every boy'j» ambition to bo an All Black and a boy could realise that ambition with persoverance, training and attention to what he was told. New Zealand had to depend on the boys for its future All Blades.

No one should cling to the idea that the New Zdalanders were invincible. The British side of 1930 was a particularly fine ono and the All Blacks would have to go as hard as they could to win. " There is no certainty of New Zealand winning," declared Mr. E. McKonzie, manager of the team. " Don't go to the game with the idea that it is all over hefore it starts. New Zealand has a big job ahead."