THE RUGBY SCRUM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 129, 3 June 1939, Page 8

THE RUGBY SCRUM.

New Zealand Rugby followers linve never become used to, or content with, the "three-four-onc" scrum. Not that they were ever content with the "two-three-two" formation, bccausc that made necessary the wing forward, and it was a very poor game that did not produce an argument on whether the winger was or was not offside. Where the winger concerned was such a one as the memorable C. G. Porter, of Wellington, the arguments were endless, and usually incapablc of settlement, but they added zest to the game, both 011 the field and on the sideline. It was when two wingers were equally matched in skill and determination that trouble came. But the "two-three-two" scrum itself had, in New Zealand eyes, the advantage of precision. The ball might " hang in the sci-urn," but usually it came ont, to one half-back or the other, and when it came out fast and straight and clean, and the " half" set his backs going, spectators felt that they were " seeing Rugby." They seldom see the same precision with the present serum formation. But is that because New Zealand players ha»e never become adept in it? Those who remember the last Test, in Auckland, of the Springbok tour will perhaps incline to that view. The South Africans could not be expected lightly to abandon a formation with which they have much reason to be satisfied. But there are signs that another change may come, and the reported dissatisfaction in England with the existing scrum formation may portend that the change will be sponsored by the most conservative of the Rugby-playing countries. The chairman of the New Zealand Rugby I'nion has suggested that the game should be played with 14 men on either side. That might seem to be a happy solution for New Zealand, which could revert to the scrum formation it prefers, without the unpopular wing forward. But would it not be preferable, before considering so great a change, to master the three-four-one formation? If the All Black team in South Afr.cn mastered it so completely as to defeat the Springboks, would not the advocacy of change be silenced at once? j