THE ALL BLACKS.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18704, 2 August 1932, Page 7

THE ALL BLACKS.

RETURN FROM AUSTRALIA. WARM' WELCOME AT AUCKLAND. TRIBUTE TO YOUNG TEAM. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Tuesday. Looking happy, well, and justifiably proud of the magnificent Bledisloe Cup, token of their success against the elect of Australia, the All Blacks returned by the Zealandia from Sydney ..to-day. They met with a warm reception at Queen’s Wharf when they disembarked. Mr Pownall, president of the New Zealand Rugby Union, was among the first to extend congratulations to the manager. (Mr Wallace), the Captain (Kilby), and the remainder of the party. He was accompanied by the chairman of the management committee, Mr Dean, and members of the committee of both the New’ Zealand Union and the Wellington Union. Mr Pownall said It was realised that they were sending aw’ay a young team ! that had not had a very great deal of experience In big match play, but he thought the 'selectors did a wise thing in Choosing young blood, particularly in view of the proposed tour of Great Britain in four years’ time. The committee had shown its wisdom in appointing Mr Wallace to manage the team. A Very Good Trip. “We knew that whatever there was in the team Mr Wallace would bring it out,” said Mr Pownall. “ This team has had a very good’ trip, and we owe New Zealand a very great debt. I think they will acknowledge it, and I hope when they go to their homes they will do their best to pass ou their knowledge, not only to their own teams, but also to their opponents." In his reply Mr Wallace said thQ forwards were the finest of any team that has gone to Australia, and the backs Improved out of sight. He paid a tribute to the work of the trainer and masseur, Mr Syd. Murray, who had to be thanked for the fact that there was not one case of septic poisoning on the tour. He had been J busy night and day attending to the players. j Kilby said: “ New Zealand has every I reason to be proud of these boys. ! This country is in process of teamI building, and by the time the English ! tour oomes along we will have a very fine team.” All the team returned feeling fit except Procter, who never sufficiently recovered from his knee injury and concussion to be fit enough to give of his best. D. Max is still on Crutches, but expects to be recovered soon. Presentations to Kilby and Steere. The high regard in which the team hold Kilby (captain) and Steere (vlcej captain) was evident when the play- • ers met to make a presentation to I each of the pair. Mementoes were handed over by Mr Wallace, manager, who said the team recognised that in Kilby it had a firstclass captain. The team had a great affection both for him and for Steere. They had sat with him on the selection committee and had been very fair, their one object being to consider the best interests of the team. Kilby spoke highly of tlie 'support received from members of the team. Off the field it had been wonderful, and on the field he could not ask for a belter side to lead. His instructions, which had only been requests, bad been ‘carried out without hesitation. Sloere niso paid a tribute to the spirit that had existed among the i players throughout the tour.