CRAVEN CALLS FOR OPEN RUGBY

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28099, 15 October 1956, Page 6

CRAVEN CALLS FOR OPEN RUGBY

Australian Touch

Rule Advocated

ADVICE FOR SOUTH AFRICA (Ti.z Press Association—Copyright) (Ree. 7 pm.) JOHANNESBURG. October 13. manager of the South African 19d6 Springbok touring Rugby Union team. Dr. Danie Craven, suggested today that the introduction of the Australian Rugby Union rule on kicking for touch could improve the standard of the union in South Africa. Speaking in Johannesburg. Dr. Craven said improvements must be made in South African Rugby, not only for the 1960 tour of South Africa by New Zealand, but for the sake of the game generally. Dr. Craven urged that there should ??T Ot be t°° much accent on the 1960 New Zealand tour, saying: “Rugby goes beyond 1960. “It doesn't start there and it doesn’t stop there.” One of the improvements suggested was the Australian rule under which, when the ball is kicked into touch, it must not cross the side-line on the full. This rule led to very open Rugby. Dr. Craven said. He said South African players found themselves in difficulties on their Australian tour because the Australian players, who were used to running with the ball rather than kicking, could easily turn defence into attack. Good Three-quarter Play Australian three-quarters had more initiative than any other country’s. Dr. Craven said. He attributed this to the tigher touch-kicking law. Dr. Craven said that although this rule would exclude the slower, heavier player from the game it should be used in practice in South Africa. Another way of giving players more initiative was for the coach to keep more in the background and control his team through the captain. He had used this system himself during the last few years and had found it very successful. Dr. Craven said. Dr. Craven said that the South African union forward had definitely become softer. “But,” he added, “we must first consider whether the game will benefit from having tough forwards. “Will hard men be inclined to bully if they know they are tough?” Dr. Craven said he did not intend writing a book about the recent Australasian tour. “I am afraid that I cannot do it because I know too much.” he said.