SPRINGBOKS AT HAREWOOD

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28013, 6 July 1956, Page 3

SPRINGBOKS AT HAREWOOD

DR. CRAVEN’S VIEWS ON OPEN GAME

“WE’VE THROWN THAT BALL AROUND ”

Dr. Danie Craven, manager of the South African Springboks team, no longer has any faith in promises of fine weather. Struggling through a blustering south-westerly wind to the refreshment room at Christchurch airport yesterday afternoon he said: “Everywhere we go they tell us there will be fine weather —I don’t believe that story any more. It’s all part of the seven-year plan.” The team arrived at the airport at 11.15 yesterday morning and stayed for about half an hour before continuing its flight to Dunedin from Nelson. All were in high spirits in spite of the bad weather and even seemed to enjoy chasing their hats around the air-strip. “It is a pity that people think that way.” said Dr. Craven referring to reports that some thought he was not sincere in his desire to play open football. “We’ve thrown that ball around,” he said, “ as you have seen in our last three games—at least our wings have had the ball.’’ Talking of the team’s performance in the games played so far, Dr. Craven said that it could not do much better than it was. “Injuries are the trouble, but the boys are getting right,” he said. “We are still below par in the forwards. They are not near the mark that they reached last year and in the trials.” The rucks were right, said Dr. Craven, but the Springboks were not playing as a pack. The backs had the speed but needed more polish.

Members of the team took a great deal of interest in the Ranfurly Shield, which had been brought to the terminal as a show of Canterbury strength. After looking at the shield. Dr. Craven said. “I’m not looking forward to the test matches, but if we beat Canterbury then we want to take the shield with us.” P. B. Vincent, the Canterbury captain, examined the trophy with the team and spoke to several of the players. Strength in Forwards

New Zealand football today was strongest in the forwards, said Dr. Craven. Rucking was good, he said, but New Zealand teams did not have the front rankers. “You never will have them as strong as Skinner, Catley and Simpson.” Dr. Craven said. “Wellington gave a more polished all-round display than any team we have played so far.” he said. “Waikato were good and they beat us. but it was our opening game and you can’t take much notice of that.” He said he had not been surprised at the standard of New Zealand Rugby. “You must remember that you have been preparing for us for a long time.” he said. “You started training in the summer and your teams have been playing together for months and months.”

The standard of football in the world today was not as high as it was in 1937. Dr. Craven said. “Three-quarter play has never been as low as it is now—except for that of the Lions; they could run with the ball. I feel that with the emphasis on forward play as it is today three-quarter play must suffer.

“I have theories about the reasons for the number of injuries.” said Dr. Craven, “and I’m going to use our replacements to test them. We need them badly for training.” The two replacements, who arrived in New Zealand today, will not be played for a start.

Dr. Craven said the tour was proving an arduous one for him. Already he has answered more than 500 letters and he still has a large pile of correspondence waiting for his attention. He has been plagued by autograph hunters and. to add to his burden, he is suffering from a heavv cold. Tn a minor revolt, when told that the team was leaving, he said. “No. I will have another cup of tea—they can wait for me for a change.”