Mud Accentuates Basic Differences

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30836, 23 August 1965, Page 3

Mud Accentuates Basic Differences

(By A. C. PARKER, of the South African Argus Group]

A Springbok pack of the calibre of the one led by A. S. Malan in Britain in 1960-61 was needed to hold the All Black forwards in their ruthlessly efficient mood of Saturday on a waterlogged, muddy Carisbrook.

And these 1965 South African forwards just do not measure up to that standard.

Instead of the miserable conditions proving the leveller up front that might have been expected, they accentuated differences in basic techniques which had already been apparent in the high wind of the first test at Athletic Park and in some of the harder provincial games. The All Black forwards—six of whom had experience of similar conditions on a British winter tour—immediately realised that this was a game that called for the Scottish application of “feet, feet." They kept driving forward with the co-operation of C. R. Laidlaw, who used the sideline judiciously. Ball On Ground

The ball on the ground, relentlessly pursued and hunted by forwards in close phalanx, presented far more of a problem to defenders than when carried by backs, who in any event were always liable’to drop it or to knock on, the ball came so slowly from C. M. Smith to K. Oxlee on most occasions that setting up line movements seemed suicidal. The chronic reluctance of the Springboks in defence to drop on the ball to check the

mom :ntum of a rush was again in evidence and one was horrified to see even a few appalling attempts at flykicks.

The danger of a loose ball lying around near the line in these conditions was not appreciated and this was skilfully exploited by the All Black hooker, B. E. McLeod, in his try—he almost scored anothc- in this way in the second half and revelled in the going. Tight Heads He had the distinction of shading G. F. Malan on the tight-head count—the first time South Africa has lost such a count on the entire tom of Australia and New Zealand. Solid scrummaging, Incidendentally, is difficult on such a treacherous surface and the South African heel was generally so sluggish that Smith was always under pressure from Laidlaw and K. R. Tremain. He had a nightmare game. That opportunist try by Tremain was an early blow from which the Springboks could not recover.

It is time the South African flankers and scrum-halves took a leaf out of the New Zealanders’ book by harassing the home half back. They seem to have an unholy fear of the off-side law which in this country is interpreted, in my opin ion, with a fair degree of licence. The All Black back row formed bv Tremain, R. J. Conway and' B. J. Lochore had a far greater impact on the play than their Springbok counterparts. who. apart from J. H

Ellis on occasions, were just not in the picture. The home trio was invariably up to tackle an opponent in possession whereas M. Williment and others had bags of time when an up and under or diagonal kick came their way. Boots Of Lead The greatest disparity between the two packs in fact was in the All Blacks’ domination and control of the loose ball. The South African forwards seemed to be wearing boots of lead and when it was important for them to arrive in numbers at a point that offered possibility for attacking exploitation they straggled up in Indian filelike latecomers trying to catch a train.

When it was profitable to ruck the All Blacks did so and R. E. Rangi’s .try was a beauty and a just reward for all the pressure they exerted in a game that at times was too one-sided to stir the crowd. Rangi has shown that he is a most determined runner when he goes for the line. Wilson’s Effort This 13-0 defeat would have been heavier but for a most courageous full-back display by the veteran, L. G. Wilson, who repeatedly cleared under intense pressure, though he had suffered a painful kick on the thigh when caught in a ruck tn the first half. The All Blacks have now beaten these Springboks in the wind and in sticky going and 1 think Mr N. J. McPhail would like a dry, firm ground at Lancaster Park for the third test to prove they can also do it under conditions that would favour a running game. The Springboks can do much better than at Carisbrook given a good ground and better weather than has plagued this tour to date.

Changes are necessary to Introduce more mobility up front and J. H. Barnard and D. J. de Villiers could make a difference at half back.

R. C. Moreton justified his selection at second five-eighths for New Zealand, but I still feel South Africa has the edge along the line.