DEFEAT OF ALL BLACKS

Taranaki Daily News, 24 July 1929, Page 5

DEFEAT OF ALL BLACKS

THE AUSTRALIAN VIEWPOINT STRUGGLE AGAINST ADVERSITY. CASUALTIES AMONGST THE TEAM. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Sydney, July -23. “Because the AH Blacks have been beaten there is a tendency to underrate their ability,” says the Sydney Morning Herald. “The average New Zealander resident in Sydney declares that Porter’s present team is the worst that has ever worn the silver fern. What an injustice to Rugby! The explanation can be made without any apologies. After surveying their performances, it can be seen that they have been wonderful. "After a storm-tossed trip they lost their captain, and Dailey was leading •a fifteen which had not then been moulded into shape. The team played a scoreless draw against more than a Waratah side, which is regarded as equal to the strength of Australia. The next big loss was Dailey, and the New Zealanders were struggling to maintain their national record, which is second to none. The second test at hand and Stringfellow became hors de combat; Nepia and Reid also laid up. Fate seemed to tread on the heels of the gallant band, and they could not escape the train smash. “If is not often that All Blacks who are level at the interval are beaten, but the retirement of Oliver in the second test must be remembered and also that the New Zealanders met an ascendant Australia. “The effect of the Waratah tour cannot be over-estimated. How the present All Blacks would have fared if at full strength is a matter of conjecture; at least justice should be done to their record in the light of unforeseen casualties. It is overlooked that for the first time for 20 years that New Zealand was outweighed man for man. “These remarks arc actuated by a desire not merely to present the case of Australia’s Rugby advance, but to do justice to the ability of a great, sorestricken 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, captain of the All Black team, will fly to Sydney by plane on Thursday to arrange for expert massage, electric baths and other preparations for the team.

Mr. J. McLeod, the manager, said Porter, Nepia, Dailey, Oliver and Stringfellow would be included in the final test team. 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. Seven stitches were inserted over his eye.