SEQUENCE OF ILL-LUCK

Taranaki Daily News, 24 July 1929, Page 5

SEQUENCE OF ILL-LUCK

ALL BLACKS ON TOUR.

SICKNESS AND ACCIDENTS.

A description of Saturday’s match, All Blacks versus Australia, was put over the air late on Saturday night-, and re-broadcasted by IYA

“The All Blacks had no had no finish to their to-day,” concluded -he announcer, who then introduced the manager of the New Zealand team, Mr. James McLeod, of New Plymouth.

Mr. McLeod, with the salutation “Hello, New Zealand!” speaking through the microphone said listeters-in had heard a very good description of the game, and he had got to say the All Blacks were beaten but not disgraced. There was very little difference between ths two teams on their work that day, but the better team won. “We know there is no use making excuses to New Zealanders,” he added, “but ever since they left home bad luck has followed the All Blacks, and it was impossible to-day to field their best team, but' they have good hopes of better fortune in the final test next Saturday. The doctor had said that it would be inadvisable for Dallev to play, but' up to that morning it was hoped that he would be able to take his place in the field.

“Nepia also has had a very bad run since he was injured in the match at Sydney, from which he had never recovered. On leaving the train he went down with the ‘flu’ and went back into hospital. He is there still, but is very much better, and will be out on Monday. Another man we thought a lot of was Dailey, and it is hoped he will play next Saturday. “Stringfellow has developed out of all knowledge, but on Friday night he contracted some infection, and he will probably be in hospital within the next hour. Reside is down with the ‘flu.’ He was standing up in the train when the accident occurred and bruised one leg, but he is nearly quite all right again.”

“The chairman of the New Zealand Union, Mr. S. S. Dean, is another who was unwell in Sydney, and he was unable to be present at the Brisbane match. He will probably have to undergo a slight operation—nothing very serious.

It was a wonderful atmosphere in Queensland, continued Mr. McLeod. The standard of Rugby play there was such and the combination so good that it was useless for New Zealand to send there anything but their best teams. The All Blacks’ visit, moreover, had done a wonderful lot of good to the Union in Queensland.

Mr. McLeod also remarked upon the lavish way in which the All Blacks had been entertained in Queensland. “Greater hospitality,” he said, “I have never seen.”