ONLOOKER'S VIEWPOINT.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 165, 14 July 1928, Page 15

ONLOOKER'S VIEWPOINT.

ALL BLACKS AND "PACT."

"Three-Two-Three" writes:—

"I read with amusement Mr. P. Mackie's views on 'the pact' made between the South African Rugby Union and the New Zealand Rugby team concerning the interpretation of the rules. Interpretations of the rules have for many years been a bone of contention,, and the following may be cited: The English Rugby Uaion in 1905 and 1926 objected to the New Zealand wing-for-ward tactics and definitely stated so, but did not go so far as to forbid ouf methods. New Zealand would not take the hint and it was left at that. When in New Zealand the South Afrtcans had to be contented with our interpretations. During the last few years the Australians have disagreed with the New Zealand interpretations—there have been many comments on same. From a sporting viewpoint play the game as agreed upon.

"Why all this trouble about the scrum formation? If the All Black? cannot get the ball with a 2-3-2 formation let them play the Africans at their own game and pack down 3-2-3. Surely this is not a difficult matter for a picked side of New Zealand forwards (we have a great name for adaptability). Personally I cannot see that it is any more difficult to pack down 3-2-3 than 2-3-2. In proof of this, I suggest that our own senior teams for a few weeks opposeone another 2-3-2 and 3-2-3, and I am certain the verdict will go in favour of the African formation. It is certainly worth trying out.-

"England, Scotland, Wales, Oxford and Cambridge Universities, the great public schools, France, South Africa and Australia all adopt 3-2-3. New Zealand alone adopts 2-3-2. Does not the consensus of opinion in the Rugby world outweigh the New Zealand idea?

"Mr. Mackie talks about our team suffering from swelled heads, etc. I note that Mr. Mackie did not contradict 3tr. Mackenzie, one of the 1926 and 1928 All Black selectors, when Mr. Mackenzie said' that the present team is the best that ever left New Zealand. Our team is all right. They are up against the toughest proposition we have ever been faced with, together with climatic and travelling conditions more severe than ever previously encountered, and playing amongst almost a. foreign nation. Some of. th'e English critics considered Mark Nicholls the brains of the- 1926 All Blacks. Our chances will be greatly enhanced if we play Africa at her own gaiiie— packing down 3-2-3, select'the strongest attacking side available (attack is. ths best form of defence), and include Mark Nicholls, hoping for a reproduction of the genius he displayed in England."