THE ALL BLACKS

Southland Times, Issue 25343, 23 July 1935, Page 8

THE ALL BLACKS

OBJECTS OF TOUR REMARKS OF MANAGER FRIENDSHIPS BEFORE POINTS (Per 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. Mr V. R. Meredith, manager of the team, remarked that the wonderful records of previous teams had been recounted. “I do not know whether those , records are set as a standard for us,” he said. “The 1924 team had a record that cannot be 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 the points.” Mr Meredith said the selection of the team was one of the saddest jobs he had ever had to perform as there were so many fine players, and fine fellows. As an instance of the fine sporting snirit 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 clpp do not consider me, leave me out.” When Mr Meredith revealed that this player was R. G. Steere (Hawkes Bay) there was a burst of appreciative applause. Mr Meredith concluded: The team will try to live up to your highest expectations.