Taranaki Ignores New Laws In Shield Defence

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30528, 25 August 1964, Page 17

Taranaki Ignores New Laws In Shield Defence

[By Our Rugby Correspondent]

About eight months ago the South African, New Zealand and Australian Rugby Unions spent a considerable amount of money to send delegates to a meeting of the International Rugby Board to decide on chadges to the laws of Rugby which it was hoped would improve the game.

The delegates decided on some sweeping changes and these were hailed as being the best thing that had happened to Rugby for many years because they provided more chances for teams to use their backs and nullified the effect of marauding loose forwards.

The changes in the laws were approved partly in New Zealand. But unfortunately for New Zealand Rugby they have not percolated through to the most important province in New Zealand: the team that holds the Ranfurly Shield.

Taranaki is perhaps the perfect example of a team that not only is not prepared to use the new laws but has a set policy of nullifying them.

There is no doubt that Taranaki has deserved to hold the shield this season in its five challenges. Its dedication; the strength of the forwards: the impregnability of its defence have deservedly repulsed such strong challengers as Wellington and Canterbury. But strip from the Taranaki these attributes—and they are important ones—and what is left?

A team which negates the whole concept of the new laws and indeed the spirit of Rugby.

Ranfurly Shield Rugby always produces criticism. Otago, Canterbury and Auckland —provinces which had a long tenure of the shield—all had their critics. But Otago, although its Rugby was based on forward control, did use its backs. Canterbury’s policy was to subdue and penetrate: but it did penetrate in the backs. Auckland also based its strength on its forwards but the backs were always used as an integral part of the attacking force.

Taranaki, unfortunately, has evolved a game of Rugby which involves 10 players, eight forwards and two inside hacks. It is almost as if an eleventh commandment had been added: thou shalt not make mistakes. For Taranaki, Rugby is

based on two things. Forward strength and a kicking.fiveeighths. After the first two challenges, admittedly played on muddy grounds, it was jocularly said that T. N. Wolfe, a brilliant attacking player, had only handled the ball twice. The joke is now stale. Excluding the King Country match he has mow handled the ball four times in four challenges. This basis of Taranaki play that the ball shall not be passed beyond the first fiveeighths has succeeded. Five challenges have been repulsed. It can be said, of course, that the opposing teams can use their backs and thus force Taranaki to use theirs.

Watch the Taranaki forwards and the comprehensive cover defence; there is no answer there. Taranaki wants other teams to do that for it only presents them with more opportunities to seize on mistakes. For the use of backs must result in some errors. Brink of Dark Ages Whatever happens to Taranaki for the rest of this season it can only be hoped that the style of Rugby adopted is a local phenomena only. If it was adopted by the rest of New Zealand it would immediately thrust Rugby back into the dark ages. Perhaps the worst aspect of the Rugby played by Taranaki—and it also is a severe criticism of the Ranfurly Shield—is that it is condoned on the grounds of financial expediency. Most Taranaki officials who discussed Taranaki Rugby with me did not approve of the Rugby being played by the Taranaki team. But, as they pointed out, it drew crowds and a good financial return.

The most damning criticism of the Taranaki team came from one of its own officials. He said: “Of course if we lose the shield we will have to change our style of play, otherwise we will never get people to Rugby Park.” He is so right.