Coaching Of Rugby Backs A Useful Summer Task

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28748, 20 November 1958, Page 17

Coaching Of Rugby Backs A Useful Summer Task

QBVIOUSLY perturbed by the lack of basic skills by halfbacks and first five-eights in New Zealand, and to a lesser extent by the lack of individual skills of other backs, the convener of the national Rugby selection panel (Mr J. L. Sullivan) has secured the approval of the New Zealand Rugby Union’s council to conduct a coaching school for half-backs and first five-eighths on a national basis. Judging by New Zealand’s display against Australia in the last two tests last season, the national union has acted prudently in sponsoring such a school. Admittedly, major emphasis must be placed on half-backs and first fiveeighths, but it seems rather a pity that the scope of the school could not be widened to include all backs in line for All Black selection next season—and especially young backs comparatively new to first-class Rugby. Fundamentals The basic skills of back play should have been learned thoroughly by those who have represented their country and by those with claims to national status, and it must be conceded that few players of this standing are without all. or at least most of them. If a summer school was held on a national basis for all backs, therefore, the teaching of basic skills for brushing them up would not be of primary importance. The emphasis would need to be on fostering and returning to back play as the main medium of attack. Rugby, as played in New Zealand in the last few years, has tended to place the backs in too subservient a position to the forwards, and while the Dominion's forward play has gone from strength to strength, the back play has been pushed further into the background. The result has been a very powerful type of forward pack and a weak attacking back line. Forward Play The line is not necessarily weak because the players are not up to standard, but because of the present-day policy of playing more to the forwards—especially in a hard game—and leaving the backs with a secondary attacking role. It is not disputed that the forwards have a very important role to fill and that the stronger pack makes all the difference between victory and defeat. But the forwards are a means to an end. On their strength and ability depends the amount of possession the backs are to receive and the more possession the forwards can win. the more opportunities presented to the backs. In recent years, however, things have got a little out of perspective. The tendency has been more and more to play to the forwards —especially when the backs are having trouble eluding the loose forwards—with the result that some matches have been really drab affairs in which the backs have been almost spectators. Sideline Tactics New Zealand has the backs to play the old style attacking game but unfortunately today their part in a game is largely determined by the tacticians and coaches on the side-line, thus depriving the backs of a great deal of initiative in favour of a pre-conceived plan. This was proved by the form shown by the New Zealand backs

who played in the third test this year, when, a day later they played in a friendly fixture between the Harlequins and the Barbarians at Pukekohe—a game in which many Australians also played. Unfettered by any plan of action, they were reported to have played brilliantly. A summer school, at which the handling game is emphasised, with backs backing up in chain passing movements, perfecting all facets of back play—with a suitable period being spent at a tackling machine—and rounded off with talks on tactics and the laws of the game, would certainly give the backs a good start to a very important season. Learning the Laws Since no mention has been made of the forwards’ part in summer training, it must be presumed that the selectors are satis-

fied with the form of the forwards. It is to be hoped, however, that before next season commences, opportunity is taken to acquaint all forwards likely to represent New Zealand, with the laws of the game. Something of this sort is absolutely necessary if the problems which arose in South Africa in 1949 are not to arise again in 1960. Most enthusiasts will remember the dissension and the wrangling over referees and law interpretations that accompanied the South Africans on their tour of New Zealand in 1956. It is not unlikely that similar difficulties will be experienced in South Africa in 1960 for interpretations of law vary widely. New Zealand can go a long way towards overcoming such a problem next season if the players attempt to play within the laws instead of trying, as they did last season, to circumvent them. Particularly does this apply to the

line-outs wher c today forwards are coached ill the art of blocking and other i legalities. It was (or breaches of the line-out laws that the All lacks were penalised so heavij y in the second test. 1949 Tests In South Ail :ica in 1949 New Zealand, lost th e first and third tests by penalty goals and in the fourth test / a penalty goal separated the 9 cores. New Zealand cannot afl tord to have the same situation occur again in 1960, or next yi ?ar. It is also to i be hoped that all players—but the forwards in particular—heed th e advice of Mr Sullivan to get fit before the season begins. Even at the end of last season 4 everal New Zealand forwards % vere carrying an excess of weigh! which seriously told against th tern when they came to match tk ieir speed against that of the me «re mobile Australians.