A RARE BIRD

NZ Truth, Issue 1147, 24 November 1927, Page 14

A RARE BIRD

All That All Blacks' Manager Will Be

(From "N.Z. Truth's"Wellington Rep.) The burning question m Rugby oircles at the present time is who shall be appointed Manager of the 1928 All Black team, to tour South » Afrioa next year m an endeavour to oonvlnce the mighty Bpringbok that New Zealand reigns supreme m the world of Rugby. DESOLiUTIONS are pouring into the 1X Union, suggesting the calling of a speolal meeting of delegates to deal with this, the most Important appointment after the actual selection of the team. ,- . It is apparent that the unions are realizing that the success or failure of the tour hangs on the qualities possessed by the gentleman who will be; entrusted with the control of the team. The tour will be the most important ever undertaken by the Dominion and, there is scarcely a New Zealander who will not be interested m its results. QUALITIES REQUIRED The gentleman appointed as Manager should possess ' certain essential qualities. Mainly they are: — (1). He must be a good business man m order to keep guard over the finance. (2). He should be capable of giving free expression to New Zealand's views on all laws of the Rugby game, and he^should be an able speaker. (3). He should be capable of advising the team and pointing out the weaknesses which have to be corrected both on and off the field.' (4). He must be prepared to give all his time to the men from the moment he takes on the Managership until the team returns, "find this means he must be a father and friend to each individual member. Summing up, the 1928 All Blacks are expecting and are entitled to a manager who In every sense of the word is a leader. No matter how formidable our players may be, the tpur will not and cannot be a success unless the men are a happy family off the field. A kind, but at the same time, Arm manager will see to it that harmony exists. ' It is now up. to the parent body to realize that a great responsibility is thrust upon it ana" that it must make every effort to bring about the appointment of a man who will have the confidence of the men and of all New Zealanders.