DEVELOPMENT OF BACKS

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28414, 22 October 1957, Page 17

DEVELOPMENT OF BACKS

Seven-A-Sides Advocated

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 21.

The introduction of seven-a-sidc tournaments, both before and at the conclusion of club championships. would go a long way to helping backs develop their ability to run with the ball, says Mr T C. Morrison, former chairman of the New Zealand Rugby selection panel.

Suggestions made by him at today’s meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union are to be submitted to the council meeting m Wellington on November 1. Mr Morrison said the standard of forward play in New Zealand had been high for several years. That strength was not just confined to national sides. It was apparent both in club and provincial Rugby. It was not an accident that that position obtained. The great majority ol coaches at every level had worked on the principle of gaining supremacy in the forwards.

On no account did he want this forward strength to be frittered away, he said. He did not want forward play loosened up, but he hoped by organising seven-a-side tourneys that backs would be given greater scope. Mr Morrison suggested that the New Zealand union encourage all the various unions to sponsor seven-a-side tournaments in their areas and that, if possible, they be conducted before club championships began, and again when the club championships had ended These latter tournaments could be for the non-provincial representatives.

The close marking in competition Rugby was so intense that seven-a-side play, which was overwhelmingly back play, should provide much greater scope for backs to develop their technique, said Mr Morrison. •