"POT-HUNTERS"

Waipa Post, Volume 43, Issue 3392, 24 December 1931, Page 5

"POT-HUNTERS"

ALL BLACKS IN ENGLAND.

"CREATED BAD IMPRESSION."

(By Telegraph. Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Wednesday.

"The public of New Zea!and are entitled to know that our last All Black team of Rugby footballers who toured Britain created a very bad impression. They were looked upon more as pot hunters than sportsmen." The above startling statement was made this morning by Mr H. R. Jenkins, of Remuera, and former M.P. for Parnell, who returned by the Rangitane from a business visit to Britain. "I am sorry to have to say this, added Mr Jenkins. "The English people do not talk about it, but New Zealanders visiting the United Kingdom find it out by inquiry. The good name created by the New Zealanders during the war was somewhat upset through the impression this team made. Their main object was to win matches, and make a marathon of it, rather than to win in a sportsmanlike spirit. . "I do not blame the individual players," Mr Jenkins added. "The trouble originated in New Zealand, owing to the. criticism by the public of the team chosen, and the object of the management was to win every match anyhow, so as to justify the "It is' a matter for gratification, however, that the New Zealand cricket team which visited England last year has broken down the prejudice created by the All Black team. They were splendid sportsmen and created an excellent impression," said Mr Jenkins. ■■