Not Worst All Blacks

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 722, 23 July 1929, Page 1

Not Worst All Blacks

PORT ER’S TEAM DEFENDED

“Great Sore—Stricken Side”

SYDNEY PAPER PAYS TRIBUTE

(United P.A.—-—By Telegraph—Copyright)

Received 11.15 21.111. SYDNEY, Today. “BECAUSE the All Blacks have been beaten, there is a tendency to underrate their ability,” says the “Sydney Morning Herald.” “The average New Zealand resident in Sydney declares that C. G. Porter’s present team is the worst that has ever worn the silver fern. What an injustice to Rugby 1”

“Explanation“can be made, without} any apologies,” the “Herald” proceeds. “After surveying the All Blacks‘ performances, it can be seen that they have been wonderful. After a stormtossed trip, they lost their captain, and Dalley was leading a XV. which had not then been moulded into shape “The team played a scoreless draw against a. more than Waratah side, which was regarded as equal to the strength of Australia. “The next big loss was Bailey—and the New Zealanders were struggling to_ maintain a national record that is . second to none. The second test was ’ at hand, and now Stringfellow become hors de combat. Nepia and Reid were also laid up. “Fate seemed to tread on the heels of the gallant band. They could not even escape the train smash. “It is not often that All Blacks wh? are level at the interval are beaten; but the retirement of Oliver in the second test must be remembered, and also the fact that the New Zealand ers met an ascendant Australia. The effect of the Waratah tour cannot be over-estimated. “How the present All Blacks would have fared if they had been at full strength is a matter of conjecture. ‘At least justice should be done to their!

record, I'll the ,lightof unforeseen caimal‘ties.

“It is also overlooked that for the first time for 20 years New Zealand was outweighed man for man. “These remarks are actuated by a desire, not merely to present the case of Australia’s Rugby advance, but also to do justice to the ability of a great, sore-stricken side, which, notwithstanding that it struggled hard against adversity, has proved itself the most popular New Zealand side which has ever visited this country.”

PORTER GOES TO SYDNEY BY AIRPLANE

TEAM FOR THIRD TEST Reed. 9 a..m. WARWICK (Queensland), Today. G. C. Porter, captain of the All Blacks’ team, Will fly to Sydney by plane on Thursday to arrange for expert massage, electric baths and other preparations for the team. The manager of the team, Mr. J. McLeod, said Porter, Nepia, Dalley, Oliver and Stringfellow would be included in the final test team to play at Sydney on Saturday. Nepia is now recovering from influenza. Porter suffered no ill-effects after Saturday’s game. Stringfellow’s poisoned knee is now clean. Oliver’s wounds are healing rapidly. Several stitches were inserted over one of his eyes.