ALL BLACKS TOUR.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 19 November 1924, Page 9

ALL BLACKS TOUR.

SOME FAIR-MINDED COMMENT.

Cable —Press Association—Cop? right. Australian N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, November 17.

The “Star” says the All Blacks ar« not black, as their jerseys suffered more whole-hearted tackling than the Londoners. Critics, eager for a sensational Sunday story, forget the exhil-. aration of full-blooded youthfu* Ruggerites. Mr Lloyd, the Irish exhalf back, refereed excellently, anu pulled up the All Blacks whenever necessriry, except a few forward passes, which he could not be expected to sea owing to the All Blacks’ speed unless provided with a motor scooter. The All Blacks are probably in better condition at present than at any stage of the tour. Harvey’s throat is better. Porter and Robilliard have recovered from their injuries, and a.» three are included in the team against Oxford.

Mr'Dean (manager) is negotiating for a match at St. John’s (New Brunswick), and two in Victoria (British Columbia). The “Athletic News” says that a great many Rugbyites are of opinion that no more brilliant form has been shown in the United Kingdom by any team than was revealed by the. New Zealanders in the second lialf of the match agriirist the London counties.

REFEREES IN WALES. NEW ZEALAND’S CONDITIONS: By .OrWo —Press Association—Copyright. Australian nnd N.Z., Cabl© Association LONDON, November 17. A difficulty, at present amounting almost' to a deadlock, lias arise., between the All Blacks and the Welsh Rugby Union over the choice of a referee for the games with the tourists in Wales. The All Blacks requested,, in accordance with the terms of their agreement with the English Rugby Union, that the Welsh Union before all Welsh matches with the tourists, should submit the names of three referees, so that- the All Blacks could make a choice.

The Welsh Union states that it has empowered the Referees’ Committee to select referees for all matches in Wales,- in which chibs affiliated to the Welsh Union are engaged. The Welsh Union is holding a special meeting at Cardiff this evening to decide what is regarded as an important question of policy.

jiv cvni.— prc*« '‘^c.^;n*ion--Coi>yr-Ul.t. Australian amt N.Z. Caiilo Association LONDON, November 18. (Received 8.10 p.m., November ISO

The “Daily Express” says it is understood that the result of the "Welsh Itugby Union meeting, is that the Union will meet the wishes of the New Zealanders regarding the appointment of referees.

RUGBY IN THE HOMELAND. ...OXFORD DEFEATS GLASGOW. liy Cable —Pi-.-r.s Wcrialion —Cnpyricht. Australian nnd N 7. Cable Association. LONDON, November 17. Glasgow was defeated by Oxford L.v 22 to 11.

“THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PICTURE.” ADVERSE CRITICISM UNJUSTIFIED. By Cable —Press Association —Copyright, Sydney “Sun” Service. (Received 10.40 p.m., November 17.) LONDON, November 17. “As an old Rughyite l saw nothing instilving the criticism ot the All Blacks’ play against London,” said a prominent critic. “I was surrounded by many British ex-Rngbyites, whose comments showed that they, like m\solf, were charmed with the play oi both teams. \ did not hear a single adverse comment. The Londoners were frequently as good as the Ail Blacks, but they did not finish their movements so well as the New Zealanders. The latter showed greater speed and stamina than the Londoners, and the New Zealanders' combination was lad ter. The victory was jii.-t wind might he expected ol a learn that had been playing cunt biliously for nine months, against a team together for the iirst time.”