THE OPENING OF A TOUR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22214, 14 September 1935, Page 12

THE OPENING OF A TOUR

The New Zealand footballers in England make their bow to the public to-day in a match which will, appropriately, be played in the West Country. The two previous All Black tours opened in the west, so it would not seem right if the first game were played in Yorkshire, or at Twickenham, or, worst of all, in Wales. Devonshire is to see the first All Blacks match of 1935, Devon and Cornwall combined are to be the first opponents. In 1905 Devon was the unsuspecting victim of the first brilliant onslaught on British Rugby, and, although the critics had their reservations, the score was startling enough to make the sporting public wonder whether a phenomenon had not appeared. In 1924, when memories of the older team, reinforced by the comparatively recent exploits of the Expeditionary Force side, had made New Zealand a name to conjure with in, Rugby football, Devon again filled the breach, but with more appreciation of what had to be faced. Beaten again, the West Country side was not this time overwhelmed in the same wholesale fashion. Yet the game ushered in a tour unmarked by a single defeat for the visitors. Whether that will be possible again nobody can say ; and the first match can give no clue unless—a possibility no good New Zealander can entertain at this hour—defeat should come at the very beginning to settle the issue. Yet, in looking forward to the prospects of this tour, to demand too eagerly that it should be marked by victory throughout is not the ideal way to regard it. To maintain the unbeaten record handed on from 1924 would be a wonderful thing; to play the game for the best that is in it, to give of their best in all circumstances, to accept the result as sportsmen should, be it victory or defeat, would be a far better thing. Carefully chosen, well trained and wisely managed, the All Blacks of ,1935 can be trusted to do this throughout the tour which opens today.