THE ALL BLACKS.

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17783, 7 August 1929, Page 8

THE ALL BLACKS.

ARRIVAL IN AUCKLAND. AN OFFICIAL WELCOME. TRIBUTES TO THE TEAM. AUCKLAND, Wednesday. The All Blacks were given a brief welcome at the Royal Hotel last evening by the Auckland Rugby Union. Mr. H. Frost presided. Mr. M. J. Sheahan, a vice president of the Auckland Union, said New Zealand was proud of its team, although it had lost its principal matches. It had placed Australian football on a pedestal where it would remain for ever. Mr. McLeod, manager of the team, said there was not much wrong with New Zealand football when such sentiments as those just uttered were almost universally expressed. “We feel we have done an immense amount of good for the game in Australia, where we arrived at a psychological moment,” he continued. “This applies more particularly to Queensland, where the Rugby game has been back only two years. This State is now permanently on the Rugby map. “In Melbourne the game is only in the making, and if we can get it into the great public schools —and there appears every encouragement that this will happen—we shall be able to fill a gap in sport in the Victorian capital. The boys drop out of football after they leave school, because the professional element is not looked upon favourably by their parents. “People who watched the game between the All Blacks and Victoria subsequently stated they had been of the opinion that scrums and line-outs spoiled Rugby football, but they were now convinced these features were the basis of tiie game.

C. G. Porter, captain of the team, said it was pleasing to find they were still welcome, even after losing the “ashes.” The result of the tests, however, had probably done more good for football in New Zealand than in New South Wales. lie had never been with a team which had been so unfortunate. It Lad lost the services of its captain, vice-captain and others. However, everyone congratulated Australia on its successes. When the Australians came across next year he hoped New Zealand would he able to regain the “ ashes.” A STRIKING COMMENTARY. ALL BLACK IN SECOND TEAM. AUCKLAND, Wednesday. A striking commentary on the manager’s (Mr James McLeod) statement that the best fifteen in the 1929 All Blacks would have compared with any New v Zealand team is the action of Auckland’s sole selector, Mr V. R. Meredith in relegating B. Palmer, one of the team's hookers, to Auckland’s second team to meet Thames. Mr Meredith is quite satisfied with Hadley and Angus Fmlayson as a front row combination for the Ranfurly Shield challenge at Carterton on Saturday. '