THE ALL BLACKS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22630, 23 July 1935, Page 5

THE ALL BLACKS

KEYNOTE OF THE TOUR SPIRIT OF SPORTSMANSHIP (Peb United Press association) AUCKLAND, July 22. Replying on behalf of the Auckland members of the 1935 All Blacks at a complimentary dinner given by the Auckland Rugby Union, Air V. C. Meredith, manager of the team, remarked that the wonderful records of the previous teams had been recounted. “ I do not know whether those records are set as a standard for ns,” he said. “ The 1924 team had a record that cannot I)o beaten. We are going to play harder matches than in 1924, but we will endeavour to play good football, which is the most attractive football of all. We are going back to the cradle of Rugby. We will count our success on the tour by the friendships we make, and we will count our record by the memories we will bring back, and not by the [joints.” Air Aleredith said the selection of the team was one of the saddest jobs he ever had to perform; there were so many fine players and fine fellows. As an instance of the fine sporting spirit of the players, he said that one prominent player had approached the selectors, saying; “I’m going to be married, so if it comes to a close thing for selection with me and some other chap do not consider me —leave me out.” When Air Meredith revealed that this player was R. G. Steere (Wanganui), there was a burst of appreciative applause. Air Aleredith concluded: “The team will try to live up to your highest expectations.”