TARANAKI HAS TWO ALL BLACK HALVES

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28972, 13 August 1959, Page 18

TARANAKI HAS TWO ALL BLACK HALVES

’J'o all foreigners—that is, those outside the boundaries of the province—Taranaki's Rugby front has invariably been remarkably steadfast and undivided. But last year, and again this season, there has been some indication of rift in the ranks. There are two reasons—R. J. Urbahn and K. C. Briscoe. It is many years since one province has boasted of two halfbacks in an All Black squad, and although it may make a nice talking point, it also produces problems.

In Taranaki there are two schools of thought one fiercely pro-Urbahn, the other equally vehement in. its support of Briscoe. Neither will admit the strong points of the other. But both are extremely competent performers —if in slightly different ways. Full Share If the tactical plan calls for backs to take their full share and more of the attack, then Briscoe is the answer. His long, sweeping passes are made to order for a five-eighths needing that extra yard or so. On the other hand, if

the intention is to play it closer to the chest, Urbahn must get the nod. His forte is his ability to direct play back to his forwards. Although every now and then he delights his fans and confounds his critics by sweeping out a pass of the best Briscoe standard.

Taranaki and All Black selectors clearly could not agree on the merits of these players last year. At provincial level, Urbahn was usually preferred. But at national level it was Briscoe who was favoured.

Quick Rise

Its a pretty problem. Briscoe has had a quick rise to the top and it was thought his pairing with All Black R. H. Brown would have given further incentive to his career. The Taranaki selectors, with few exceptions, have preferred to play the Briscoe-Brown combination rather than the Urbahn-Brown pairing. When either Briscoe or Brown was not available for some reason or other, Taranaki plumped for club combination of Urbahn—W. J. Cameron. In effect, the choice of half-back for Taranaki virtually settled the province's first fiveeighths position. If Urbahn was first choice—as he has been in most instances—then it followed almost automatically that Cameron would be outside him and Brown at centre three-quarter. Briscoe behind the scrum meant Bronw at first five-eighths; but for New Zealand I. Briscoe on Saturday will have his club first five-eighths, J. McCullough. It is interesting to note that last year Brown and Urbahn were paired twice only—against Manawatu and Wellington. This season they played together but once—against Hawke’s Bay at Napier—before the first test