Gap Between Forward Play Clearly Revealed

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30147, 3 June 1963, Page 12

Gap Between Forward Play Clearly Revealed

[Bu A A. MULLIGAN, a British journalist with the English Rugby team, who is wr'tini specially for “The Press ”]

The test is and the series won. No doubt the thoughts of New Zealand Rugby players will now turn to the forthcoming tour of Britain and France.

With these thoughts mind, what bearing did Sa urday’s game have on th tour? To what extent d it provide some clue to tl fortunes of the AU Blacl in the near but misty fi ture? The test again revealed tl Farther terrifying chasm b tween New Zealand forwai play and the rather sta manner in which it is ofts played in England. For be ter or for worse (depen< upon whether you are ( the giving or receiving end especially as a half-bacl the profound influence Rugby’s public school ori ins remains. Who will ever forget tl Auckland-Lions match 1959, when Albert Pryor reputed to have run h sprigs over David Marqu face, and that Squire, of tl England second row, lea to his feet and shook Pryor

hand as though bestowing an investiture. This demonstrates the very essential difference in approach. No New Zealand forward, with an iota of self respect, would have allowed himself to be compromised n at the bottom of a ruck. ;- Saturday’s match fairly revealed the forward superior- , ity in the gaime. a How I envy Connor, for e to play at the heels of an 3 All Black pack, must be like '■ living in clover. One need not really go further, for fore ward superiority is the essence. “ Yet England’s backs, with d such few chances, looked far ’ n superior—and they are by no " means the best set in the ls home countries. I have seen ,n several superb backs tn “ New Zealand, and one oon- ■’ stanitly wishes that the selectors were more adventurous. >’ It would be wonderful to see Walsh and Herewini paired e at national level, with pos- ! D sibly Macßae outside. ‘ s One hopes that regardless IS of this season’s form the ' s selectors will bring their ® most exciting players to Britain. The 1961 Springboks s were ruined as a tehm, by their failure to utilise their superior backs and to take any moves for try scoring. Tours are generally a hothouse for the development of talent. Hosen, of England, is a fine example. A player with obvious potential and who has cracked under pressure in trials, proved himself in the uninhibited atmo-

sphere of a tour —a great success This daring selection by England has made him into a player. Whineray’s AU Black pack is a fine machine. Perhaps not at their best on Saturday, they still provide an incredible variety of loose baU and scoring chances. When the monster-man Meads decided to go. when Whineray ran with incredible perception for a forward —when Tremain. Graham and Nathan were in full cry it was a sight. And England? A trumph of bravery for Davis after dislocating his shoulder. Godwin, Jacobs and Judd —squat, square men all. living in that phantom world in the front row—were superb, in spite of a 4-1 loss in their own exclusive contest. The wiry

Rogers, savage tackier if impetuous in his positioning, has, like the rest, carved a niche in New Zealand RugbyEngland leaves New Zealand weary in spirit after a most exacting tour. Doubtless this affair could have been better organised. Too many matches, no chance of seeing the real beauties of this exceptional country, and thereby gaining greater enjoyment. Any experience is worth while but we have only seen the half of it. New Zealand must now come to Britain for a similar period—in September or October, or March and April Because the tourists lave failed to win more than one match is not an indictment of the principle. Short tours must continue —long tours as well!