THE ALL BLACKS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19204, 21 June 1924, Page 7

THE ALL BLACKS.

REPUDIATED INTERVIEW

THE MANAGER SURPRISED.

(From Ode Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, Juno 20. In the course of an interview in this morning’s Alanawutu Daily Times, Mr S. S. Dean, manager of lhe_New Zealand All Black team for the British tour, is reported to have made comments on the personnel of the loam, the choice of the selectors, and other matters connected with the tour. Ho is said to have stated that “Knight's exclusion has caused most comment. Apart from the principle involved in his being passed over for West, some good judges claim that the Taranaki man get the credit for much of Knights good work at Wellington on Juno 3.” He is reported as having said: ‘lh.ore is a resemblance between the two men. Ihe interview proceeds; “There is a feeling that the best lock did not catch tho selectors notice. Williams is regarded as the kingpin in that position. Bailey was undoubtedly bolter than Robilliard on attack, but many keen observers noted the lac,c ot opportunity Robilliard had in both the Wellington .Hatches and his good defensive work.” ' , . , “What about Carroll?” asked tho interviewer. “Are you Irving to pull my leg: w - as the reply. “There is to my knowledge- no reason for his exclusion, but the fact that ho is not in the best 13 New Zealand forwards. Two of tho New Zealand selectors (North Island) do not rate him as a firstclass ' forward, a.nd they say lie is a ‘shiner.’ ” In regard to coaching, Mr Dean is reported as follow’s: “A great deal of importance is not attached’ to the presence ot a coach. Duncan was not a success m 1905. and in 1921 Stead and Alex. M Donald were ca Hod off after tho second test. George Nicholson tried his hand without startling results. Griffiths got the most out of the men that veer. The trouble is that playeis think they know enough and they wont take any notice of what a coach tells them. “Why doesn’t tho New_ Zealand union find a way of paying that 5s a day? asked tho interviewer. —No answer. “Won't is come hard on some of the men?” —“A few may have a difficulty m keeping going; in fact, quits a number will unless some workable arrangement can be made to ration out each man s pmmoncy.” “You won’t have to pay the same attention to detail us your predecessor? No; but unless they manage the accommodation and entertaining bettor than tvas done by Now South Wales in 1922 things will be at sixes and sevens.” . , • i “I am keen to know what is bcing oone in the matter of publicity at Home, remarked tho interviewer. “I understand,” said Mr Doan, that the Government is deputing a member ot tne Publicity Office to go through the United Kingdom with the team and give an illustrated lecture on New Zealand in the towns where fixtures have been arranged the mgfit before tho match.” . With reference to iho Question ot representation at the Imperial Rugby. Comerencc, Mr Dean is quoted as saying that two delegates would go. “Ihe question will be finally decided at next week s meeting and the indications are for_ a special representative being sent along “Sam Wilson or Jim M‘Leod?” asked the interviewer “Jim dees not want to go. was the “That means good-bye to Bihy Stead going Homo as coach?” —“Presumably. MR DEAN’S DENTAL. Immediately on his return to Wellington this afternoon Mr Dean sent the following telegram to the newspaper representative responsible for the repo: led published statement: “Very surprised. Your alleged interview is full of inaccuracies and your own ideas.” Subsequently Mr Dean made the following statement: “I was very surprised indeed on picking up lb© "Ma.uttwa.tii D-aily linves this morning to read what purports to bo an interview that a reporter for’ that journal had with me yesterday afternoon at Palmerston North. , The statements_ are wholly inaccurate, and are in practically every instance the views of the reporter as expressed by him to me, and in no wav represent, my, views.”