ALL BLACKS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27018, 1 March 1949, Page 6

ALL BLACKS

MATCH IN DUNEDIN “ONLY A POSSIBILITY'’ PRELIMINARY ARRANGEMENTS BEING MADE The Otago Rugby Union decided last night to make preliminary arrangements for a possible Rugby match in Dunedin between the South Island members of the All Black team and a team of colts, before the New Zealand players sail from Wellington. The selectors, Messrs V. G. Cavanagh and C. K. Saxton wei£ instructed to get in touch with likely players in case the match was to be played. “ We cannot say that the game is a ‘probable,’ but it is possible that it will eventuate,” said the chairman, Mr R. W. S. Botting, at the meeting last night. He explained that Mr J. H. Parker, the manager of the All Black team, when he was in Dunedin, had expressed a wish that the South Island members of the team should meet a team of colts. He thought that the experience of meeting the All Black players would be good for the colts. . Mr Botting added that the match, if played, would have to be given the sanction of the New Zealand Rugby Union, which was particularly anxious that no undue risks of injury should be taken by the All Black players. Another point that might preclude the possibility of the game was that the sailing date of the Tamaroa had now been advanced a week, from April 20 to April 13, and the All Blacks would have to assemble at Wellington a week before that date. He had been told that the players would probably be advised of the assembly date about March 15. “ In these circumstances, it might not be possible for a game between the South Island All Blacks and colts to be played,” Mr Botting added. Mr D. C. Jolly: It would be impossible to get the All Blacks together, and it would also be impossible to get the players to meet them. Mr Botting replied that it should be possible to get the players of both teams together, and Mr Parker had thought it would be a good plan if the match were played. The meeting then decided to instruct the selectors to make their preliminary arrangements.