EXCELLENT FETTLE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16653, 24 May 1928, Page 3

EXCELLENT FETTLE

ALL BLACKS AT DURBAN WONDERFUL RECEPTION (Eke. Tel. Copyrighlr-Unilcd Press Assn.'i (Australian aud-N.Z. Press Association, .DURBAN, May 23. A rousing welcome was given the All Blacks on their arrival at 'Durban to-day. The team landed in excellent fettle, but were glad that the tedious trip of five weeks had ended.

The team practised on the Durban ground this morning. Great admiration is expressed, here for the style of the New Zoalanders, and the residents consider the team will be victorious.

The party was met at the wharf by the Mayor and officials of the Rugby Union. The official luncheon was a great success, wonderful enthusiasm, being shown. The Natal Witness is em/phaiic that the, New Zealanders wilf ■ lose the two first games and also That against Transvaal. The, Springboks expects the All Blacks to win the first test, but to lose the others. Botha, Reid, of the 1905 Springboks, said thai; after the first six games, the South' Africans will, have learned all the New Zenhrnders /can teach them.

One of the newspapers devotes a page to the arrival of the team. Everywhere the team goes they are cheered and jubilantly applauded, and the hospitality is unbounded. The team were overwhelmed by the spontaneous reception,

They weighed an average of 1,35 t., the backs averaging 11.10, and the forwards 14.3. '

PROGRAMME TO STAND RUGBY UNION DISCUSSION (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON,..Iast night. The New Zealand Rugby team is to keep to the original itinerary drawn up for the South African tour, despite the fact that the Euripedes may be a few days late in arriving at Capetown. The management committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union decided to-night to cable to the manager of the New Zealand team, and akso to the South African Union, that it approved of the opening match of the tour being played on May 30. i

The following cablegram was received from the South African Rugby Union: "The following is the material part of our wireless message to Mr. Hornig on May 18: 'Ship expected at Capetown early on Sunday. From the sporting aspect it is vital the fixture should stand. Cancellation means bitter public, disappointment and a''great loss.' —The following reply was received: '< Pleased to play first match as arranged if we amvo on Sunday.' " "The more I think of it the more I am satisfied that we should play the first match," remarked Mr. Dean. "The South African Union has gone out of its way to make all arrangements for our tea in. and I think we should fall in with them if possible. The South African Union h'as arranged an easy match for the opening, and it does not matter greatly whether we win the, opening match or not. I move that we cable to Mr. •Hornig that we have decided that the opening match should be played, and that the South African Union also be cabled to this effect."

Mr. E. Wylio agreed that Mr. Hornig should be cabled to, but considered that the: final decision should rest with the manager. Mr. Dean: What does jt matter if we do lose the first match? The South African Union has offered to put the match off until the Thursday. I

Mr. MeKonzie: We should certainly play the first match if it entails'no hardship upon the team. Mr. A. C. Eifcto: We do not wish to lose a match if we can help it. Mr. Dean's motion to the effect that Mr. Hornig should be cabled to, that the New Zealand Union .approved of the aliening match against the country clubs at Capetown "being played, anil that a copy of the cablegram be sent to the South African Union, was carried. An amendment by Mr. E. Wylie, leaving the decision to the manager, lapsed for want of a seconder.

NAPIER-HASTINGS DEFEAT WAIROA (Per Press Assooiation.l NAPIER, last night, A representative Rugby match between Napier and Hastings combined: and Wairoa, the first of the season, was played hero to-day in ideal conditions. A creditable exhibition, in which many players gave specially good, performances, resulted in a win for-'tho combined team by 16 points to