ALL BLACKS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Taranaki Daily News, 15 July 1929, Page 11

ALL BLACKS IN SOUTH AFRICA

SIDELIGHTS OX THE TOUR.

"INITIAL MISTAKES MADE.”’

“The tour of the All Black team in South Africa was very popular, but not to the extent that it would have been had initial mistakes not been made—the aloofness of the New Zealand captain, the unnecessary officiousness of the manager, and the tactless mistake of keeping the Prime Minister and members of Parliament, also the Administrator of Cape Province, waiting for the country’s official welcoming luncheon.

The above is an extract from a letter sent by a member of the South African Rugby Board to a well-known Rugby man in New Zealand, and incidentally the writer pulls the veil gently aside to give some inside history of the AU Blacks’ tour in the land of the Bok, likewise some pithy and interesting remarks on the game over there.

“When I re-examine the All Blacks’ tour,” says the writer, “I cannot but express my regrets that the earlier attitudes. adopted by Hornig and Brownlie were so unfortunate. Had the manager been an ordinary ‘joker,’ and had Brownlie come off his perch from the commencement, what a tour it would have been! Without doubt its popularity would have been second to none. “Brownlie could have been the most popular fellow ever. 1 personally think him a charming fellow, and longed to pierce that reserve or barrier he seemed to possess. However, rest assured the next team from New Zealand will have a splendid time here.”

Passing on, the writer refers to sofiie of the trials and tribulations which are besetting the South African Board at the moment. He says the South African Universities are clamouring and manoeuvring to have a combined side sent over to England to play the various universities there. The official says the board is against the proposition, mainly on the grounds that with the South African system of registering extramural students as college students, the team sent over will be ordinary everyday players who merely register as students and attend classes for one subject only. “Of course the board will insist on a very rigid definition of a student before it countenances a tour. The board also feek that the tour is of a ‘joy ride’ nature, and feels that it is merely an attempt to make a convenience of Rugby to pay the expenses of a ‘joy ride’ to Europe. PROFITS OF THE TOUR.

“As you learnt while here, the South African Board’s system for tours is to fix definite guarantee from each province and to work on these guarantees. In other words, it estimates its requirefix a definite guarantee from each profits. If it were not for the last match which you fellows so kindly played against the universities, the board would have lost. The ultimate result was £237 profit. The Transvaal made a promt on the tour of £18,519. Gate receipts Were £23,760, and expenditure, including guarantee of £3OOO, £5249.” The letter states that Bennie Osler, Dr. J. Van Druten and Tom Kruger, who played in the Test matches, have retired from the game, although it is thought that Osler and Van Druten will turn out before very long. There have been rumours that Stanley Osler’s injuries will prevent his playing for all time. It is sincerely hoped not, for he is a very likable little fellow and very popular, especially in the Transvaal. “AS YOU WERE.” “Next year you fellows will bo entertaining the British team,” continues the writer. “On the limited experience gained during the 1924 tour of the British team in' South Africa, your tour to Great Britain the same year and last year's tour in South Africa, it would appear that you will have a cake walk. But I hope not, for that would take all the interest out of the tour. As you know, I like international contests to end up just as they did in South Africa. Both sides should taste a little of the bitters of defeat, and a little of the sweetness of victory. Thereby mutual respect and esteem is attained, and also a big sense of proportion or moderation —in other words, toleration. A little toleration in this game of ours will do immense good in these days of intolerance.”