2-3-2 SCRUM

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 9, 10 May 1939, Page 3

2-3-2 SCRUM

INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION * r NEW ZEALAND PROPOSAL Delegates to the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union approved a remit to be forwarded tto the international conference in London this year favouring the univer. sal adoption of the 2-tf-2 scrum for. mation. It is stated that the subject was originally raised by a letter from Mr Baxter, manager of the last British team to tour New Zealand, who admitted that the English scrum, formation, was causing much trouble, and asked for New Zealand suggestions. It will be remembered that fecrums and the iniquities of wingforwards weighed heavily on Mr Baxter's mind during the toitr but he has apparently now changed his views. The object was to endeavour to find a solution, of the present difficulties in pui'tting the ball into the scrum said Mr H. Frost (Auckland). Even in England there appeared to exist confusion over the scrummage. New Zealand believed that the 2.3-2 scrum was the best as it was easy to pack, provided for fast heeling and therefore for more open play, and ■was more mobile than the three front row scrum. Furthermore there had never existed while the 2-3-2 scrum Avns played in this country confusion over the rules, the sole bone of contention being the wing forward. TIME OPPORTUNE The Hon J. McLeod (Taranaki) supported the remit on, the ground that it offered the- best solution to the present day dilficulty in applying the scrummage rules. "We chftng ed over to the three front row scrum not because we liked it, but hecause of circumstances. We have not mastered it and I do not think we ever will. But that is not the point. England appears to be turning towards our viewpoint and the time is opportune to put forward the proposal."'' ; Mr A. A. Adams (West Coast) said New Zealand had given the three front row scrum a very lair trial and was in a fair position to report on the merits of the respective scrums. There was no doubt that the 2.3-2 scrum was more compact and more ideally suited to the rules of the game." Not only w„as there confusion, (among the authorities in England, but J. W. Lotz, one of the world's greatest hookers, had recently expressed doubts over the application of the rules to the three man front (Continued at foot previous column)