ALL BLACKS LAND

Taranaki Daily News, 3 September 1935, Page 7

ALL BLACKS LAND

ARRIVAL AT TILBURY ALL TEAM FIT AND WELL KEEN TO START TRAINING GAME ON SEPTEMBER 14 < BACKS CONSIDERED LIGHT By Telegraph—Press Assn.-Copyright. Rec. 1.7 a.m. London, Sept. 2. On the- arrival of the Rangitiki at Tilbury the All Blacks were welcomed by Sir James Parr, High Commissioner, and Mr. C. J. Wray, the New Zealand Rugby Union’s representative in England. All of the team are fit and remarkably well after a smooth trip. Most of the players have put on weight, some of the big men up to 61b. over their playing weight, despite systematic physical training, including practise with the special scrum machine. The players have not been restricted in their diet but have cut down smoking. They are anxious to be in the best of condition for the opening game at Devonport on September 14 against Devon and Cornwall, All want to settle down to serious training. After several welcome lunches and dinners they will leave on Thursday for Newton Abbot, where they have booked an entire hotel. The opinion of the critics is that the forwards look a heavy side but that some of the backs are exceptionally light. One newspaper quotes Mr. C. G. Porter as expressing the opinion that the “forwards will be shoved off the field.” The Times in a leader extends to the All Blacks a welcome as hearty as that received by the departing South African cricketers. It says that those who defeat them will have cause for self-congratu-lation.