ALL BLACKS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 13349, 6 April 1914, Page 7

ALL BLACKS.

PROBABLE TOUR OF RRITAIN.

The report that an invitation may be forthcoming from the English Rugby Union for a team of All Blacks to visit England this year is received with the greatest satisfaction m Christchurch, where the most immediate effect will probably be to put a good lot of keenness into this year's competitions m view of the selection of the international side. "If the report is correct,'' said Mr G. H. Mason, president of the New Zealand Rugby Union, "it shows that the objection on the part of Scotland and Ireland must have been overcome as regards the visit of a New Zealand team. They have been so much against it for years past that the impression was gaining ground that New Zealand teams were not wanted at Home. England and Wales were willing enough whenever a visit was mooted, and this news is very welcome. Tlie report may also be taken as strong evidence of , the big revivalof Rugby m England," Mr Mason continued. "This will give a great impetus also to the game locally, and probably assist very materially m our efforts to obtain more recognition from the English Union m tbe matter of proposed alterations arid improvements m the game." "No," said Mr Mason, "I do not think it likely that any New Zealand team will put up the record of the 1905 All Blacks m the Old Country. They will find very much stronger combinations to meet." "Do you think that the Oalifornian All Blacks were m the same class as the 1905 team?" Mr Mason was asked. "It is a much-discussed question," he said, "and it is a very difficult one to answer. lam of the opinion that at the time of selection there was not much difference between the teams, but the team that went to England m 1905 had much more favorable opportunities of improving their play. No team can improve if it is playing against weaker opponents, as was the case m America _ but m England the New Zealanders met teams every now and ac-am, at any rate, that pave them all they wanted, and kept them m good fettle, and the men had to improve to hold their own. In California there was not the same incentive to training and constant practice, although many of the men worked out improvementsin their 'play, and showed constant initiative." "Did the last All Blacks learn anything from their tour?" "They learned nothing from their opponents, but their play improved considerably, and they studied out points for their own combination. Playing together is bound to improve a team." "A New Zealand team to-day?" Mr Mason said. "Well, they would hardly bp as clever amono* the backs as the All Blacks of 1905. Althouch lam not prepared to say so, yet I think our forwards would be good enough, for any team they are likely to meet." ,