Assistant Manager of All Blacks Blushed

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27094, 31 May 1949, Page 8

Assistant Manager of All Blacks Blushed

Pressmen who went along to interview the All Blacks' party up from the Cape had to answer many questions, so keen were the visi- ’ tors to increase their knowledge of South African Rugby, said the Pretoria correspondent of .the Pape Argus. The party consisted of Mr Alex McDonald, assistant manager of the All Blanks, Ray Dalton, the vice-captain, a newspaperman and a broadcaster. Mr McDonald said: “What struck me more forcibly than anything else has been the free-and-easy manner in which the South Africans made us welcome. Everybody talks to everybody, and it is impossible not to feel at home at ■ once. “ Last night we were late in getting to our hotel, and I believe I actually blushed when we went into the dining-room and all the guests cheered us to the echo. I cannot stress our appreciation too highly for the way in which the South African Rugby Board and everybody we have met have done their utmost to make things pleasant for us—and have they succeeded “For instance, the idea of letting our boys train at Hermanns, is simply marvellous. I am sure you will like our boys, who are very much akin to yours.” Promising Three-quarter A. Phillips, who played op -the wing for Zingari-Richmond last' Saturday, scored two fine tries, the result of determined running and a keen sense of positional play. His tackling was of a high order and when crowded on the line he exploited the centring kick to good effect. If E. Watson had not elected to go on his own so much and. had sent the ball out smartly to his centre. Phillips might have scored several more tries, especially in the second half.when Zingari was incessantly pressing the University B line.