A SPRINGBOK'S CRITICISM

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22197, 14 September 1937, Page 12

A SPRINGBOK'S CRITICISM

Play Of Teams Met In South Island DIFFERENCES OF TACTICS Points in which the Rugby tactics of the Springboks differed from those of the teams they had met in the South Island part of their tour were discussed yesterday in an interview by Mr D. H. Craven, vice-captain of the South African team. The day in Christchurch was spent quietly by members of the team, who left last night for Wellington on their way to Napier for their match with Hawke's Bay. "Before we left the North Island we were told that we were Just going to scrape home," said Mr Craven. "I'm glad we have been so successful. We were also told that we should meet a more rugged type of player down here, but actually I found these games more enjoyable than all but two of those we played in the North Island. "One thing I've noticed about the type of play here. Whether it is wet or dry you-play wet weather football. You don't rely on the backs as much as we do. We consider that victory or failure depends on the forwards, but, allowing that they make the game possible, rely on the backs to carry on. If we have possession of the ball the other side has got to defend. Attack From Defence "Another thing is that your backs almost always string out in a straight line from the scrum, except in their own twenty-live, when everything is concentrated on defence. But actually when your opponents are up in your twenty-five an attacking movement may be very valuable, because they don't expect you to attack. They are then not defending so strongly, and you may catch* them napping. "Your forwards seem to me to play too loose. The first duty of forwards is to push in the scrums, and they should only break away when the ball is out. Your forwards try to bottle up (he halves; ours to try to prevent them breaking away. If they succeed in breaking away then our forwards concentrate in covering the back line. Another point is that if possible the ball should be kept in play, for a lineout helps very little towards producing a score. Our idea is to keep the ball in and work from scrums rather than line-outs." Mr Craven considered that tho teams the Springboks had met in the South Island had all started off too fast, forgetting that a football match might be likened to a mile race, in which it was essential to stay the whole distance. v The Springboks gradually worked themselves up as the game proceeded, and could always play their best in the last five or 10 minutes. No Change of Rules Needed "These games we have played so far show that the rules of Rugby as they stand are capable of producing good open Rugby." said Mr Craven in conclusion. "They don't want any amendment." During the day Mr Craven, accompanied by Mr A. de Villiers. visited the Christchurch Technical College and the Christchurch Boys* High School, and addressed the boys. Other members of the team had less to say about the difference in tactics and manner of play between the Springboks and the teams they had met. Several of them considered that the provincial teams generally seemed to have a defensive attitude from the start —an attitude that probably hampered them. All the members of the team have been impressed by the enthusiasm for Rugby shown by New Zealanders. They have been astonished to find small towns—like Blenheim, for example—drawing a football crowd that was larger than their population. Autograph Hunters Everywhere the Springboks have been attended by autograph-hunters. Small boys have haunted the doors of the hotel they have stayed in, some of them waiting until midnight on the odd chance of meeting a Springbok going in or out. Three boys even pene* trated to the lounge of the United Service Hotel during the interview, but they were provided with the autographs they sought without even a gesture of annoyance from the South Africans. Afterwards, however, the visitors confessed that they found the constant demand for autographs rather tiresome. Mr A. de Villiers (assistant manager), and all the members of the team spoken to were enthusiastic in their praise of the hospitality of the people they had met in the South Island, and of the beauty of its scenery. The weather also, they considered, had treated them very well. They had been told to expect heavy grounds and bad weather in the south, but actually the heaviest grounds they had played on had been in the north. They had thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of their tour. Mr P. W. Day, the manager of the team, travelled to Wellington by air yesterday morning. He will see the team play at Napier, but has to leave for South Africa before the third test From now on Mr de "Villiers is managing the team. INTERPRETATION OF RULES COMMENT BY SOUTH AFRIC N PLAYERS "LACK OF UNIFORMITY IN NEW ZEALAND" Mr R. J. G. Collins, president of the Canterbury Rugby Football Referees' Association, announced at a meeting of the association last evening that at various times during the visit of the j Springboks he had conferred with different members of the team and had secured a good deal of useful information about rulings in South Africa, Australia, Great Britain, and New Zealand. He proposed to bring the matter up in the form of a report early next season. Mr Collins said this might do something toward securing uniformity of ruling. Several of the Springboks had stated definitely that there was a lack of uniformity between the rulings given in the two islands. In fact, it had been stated that the visitors could distinguish which island a referee came from by his rulings alone. Some attempt at greater uniformity should be made. Even in Canterbury there were cases of lack of uniformity in local games. Another point worth noting was the excellent knowledge of the rules which all members of the visiting side appeared to possess. It would make the lot of the referee a much easier one if only players in New Zealand could be taught to take as definite an interest in the rules. Some effort should be made in this direction, perhaps through the primary schools. Mr J. C. F. McLachlan reported that the only date available for the asso-

ciation's annual match with the Ashburton referees was Saturday, September 25. This, unfortunately, clashed with the final test match, and it was proposed to play the game early in order that the members of the team would be able to listen in to the broadcast while in Ashburton. In consequence, the team would be leaving the Pioneer Sports Club at 10 a.m. on the day in question. The team for the match would be as follows: —G. Kett, V. Beaumont, A. McP. Murray, R. W. Blazey, E. Sibley, D. Johnson, H. Coulter, R. J. McLachlan, A. K. Woodham, A. Rogers, J. Gough, S. McGeorge, G. A'Court, S. Murray, and G. Berry. Emergencies: J. Parkes, H. Bailey, W. Christiansen, J. Armstrong, H. T. Lawrence, and A. Billens. The annual match with the Association football referees would be played at English Park on Saturday, October 2. Mr J. C. F. McLachlan was appointed as manager for both matches. The congratulations of the association were tendered to Messrs J. C. F. McLachlan and R. W. Blazey on their appointment to control representative matches. Advice was received from the New Zealand Referees' Association that the next conference would take place in Oamaru next Easter instead of in Dunedin, as previously arranged. FRIENDLY MATCH A match between the two branches of T. Armstrong and Company, Ltd., was won by the High street store by 34 points to 6. Tries were scored for the winners by P. Baker' (3), E. W. Barr (3), W. Wickham (2), T. Gottermeyer (2). Baker and I. Barr converting one try each. The loser's score was two penalty goals kicked by E. Newbury. Mr J. Hamer was referee. A shield was presented to the winning team by Mr Leo Armstrong. FIRMS' MATCH A match between teams representing Andrews and Beaven, Ltd., and the Massey-Harris Company, Ltd., was played at the polo grounds, South Hagley Park, on Saturday. The game was won by Andrews and Beaven, Ltd., by 14 points to 8. RUGBY LEAGUE DELEGATES' MEETING j CHANGES IN CONSTITUTION Notice of motion, to amend the constitution of the Canterbury Rugby League, was received from Mr L. G. Amos, at a meeting of club delegates last evening. All clubs will be notified of the motion, and the suggested alterations to the constitution will be i sent to them. | Permission was given to the Hornby I Club to travel to the West Coast on \ September 19. I As there is a possibility of the Australian Rugby League team visiting New Zealand on its return from England, a letter was sent to the New I Zealand League Centre, asking ! whether a game could be arranged between the Australians and a South Island representative team. It was proposed to hold the game in Christchurch. The Addington senior team was congratulated en winning the Thacker Shield on the West Coast last Saturday. , It was suggested that as the Canterbury junior representative team will not be travelling next week-end it should play the St. George team from Wellington. The matter was left in the hands of the junior management committee. The Auckland Rugby League was advised that it would be impossible for a game between Christchurch and Auckland senior club teams to be arranged this season. The draw for Saturday was approved as follows:.— Senior Grade— Sydenham v. Addington, at Monica Park, 2.45 p.m. (Mr A Manson). Junior Grade —St. George (Wellington) v. Linwood, at Monica Park, 1.30 p.m. (Mr B. Vine). Third Grade—Riccarton v. St. Joseph's, at St. Joseph's, 2 p.m. (Mr W. Thompson). Fourth Grade knock-out competition—Addington v. Riccarton, at Riccarton, 2.45 p.m. (Mr R. Murray); Sydenham v. Linwood, at Jerrold street 2.45 p.m. (Mr H. Wright); Woolston a bye. Fifth Grade—Sydenham v Waimairi, at Jerrold street, 1.30 pm (Mr J. Leitch); Hornby a bye. Schoolboys: heavy-weight, St. Joseph's v Woolston, at St. Joseph's, at 11 a.m. (Mr A. Clark); Linwood a bye; lightweight, Dallington v. Addington, at Jerrold street, 10.30 a.m. (Mr C. Warr), Riccarton v, St. Joseph's, at St. Joseph's, 10 a.m. (Mr B. .Vine).