THE LAST MATCH.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XLIX, Issue 149, 7 September 1928, Page 3

THE LAST MATCH.

ALL BLACKS DEFEAT THE UNIVERSITIES. THRILLING GAME. (By Cable.—Press Assn.—Copyright) (Australian Press Assn.—United Service). (Special to Press Association). CAPE TOWN, September 5. After a thrilling and spectacular game, played under the New Zealand niles, the All Blacks heat the Combined Universities at Cape Town today, on the Newlands ground, before a crowd of 15,000, by one goal, two tries and one penalty to two tries and one penalty. It was an excellent exhibition of New Zealand football under rules finely interpreted by Mr J. Burrows, and capped a memorable tour. There was a rousing demonstration ns the teams left the field.

ALL ABOARD!

A WONDERFUI FAREWELL.

TEAM SHOWERED WITH GIFTS. (Received This day, 8.40 a.m.) CAPE TOWN, September 0. A wonderful farewell was given the All Blacks when they went aboard ship to-ilav. Cheering crowds swarmed the wharf in great tribute to the popularity of the New Zealanders. The most popular man on the All Blacks’ side was Andy Mercer, the trainer, who with his genial personality has won the hearts of all with whom he came in contact. He was given many handsome presents from life-long friends he made in South Africa.' The whole of the All Black side was showered with trinkets which will commemorate (he wonderfully memorable 1928 tour.

EXCHANGE OF COMPLIMENTS. “GENEROUS SPORTING SPIRIT.” FORGING A 1 INK IN THE EMPIRE CHAIN. (Received This day, 10 a.m.) CAPE TOWN, September 0. Mr A. J. Pienaar, president of the South African Rughv Board, publishes the following message from the Board:—“What H’c Board appreciates specially is the ready manner in which the Now Zealand team fell in with our arrangements. Their playing of the first and last matches are instances of the generous sporting -■nilit with which they met us. We wish them all a happy homeward voyage and a safe return, and we trust they will carry with them pleasant recollections of their strenuous time in South Africa. Their visit lias aroused, in an unprecedented manner, interest in our game. All our unions have derived benefit. The mutual interests in our respective countries and, I trust, friendships have also been stimulated.” AH' Hornig, manager of the All Black team, interviewed on the eve of sailing, said the tour lmd been an unqualified success and the result of the tests was most happy. He said he was looking forward to the time a few years hence when the issue would he settled in a great game before a great crowd at Athletic Park in Wellington. He was of opinion that an even division of honors in the tests was a line thing for the game in both countries. Tt provides a stimulus to Rughv which is better than indisputable supremacy. “Although the All Blacks were prepared for hard games, the matches turned out to he even more arduous than they first thought. The result of the strong opposition they encountered was that they had to forsake the style of forward play general in New Zealand for the solid scrummaging game customary here, and it was only half-way through the tour that they really settled down to the type of play necessary. It is a compliment to our forwards that in the circumstances they were finally aide to hold their own with the Springbok pack and secure an even division of the tests.” Mr Hornig concluded by expressing regret that they were leaving, hut a hope that they hail forged a small link in the chain of Empire. He assured the South Africans of a warm reception when they again toured New Zealand.