MR LOUW MYSTIFIED “Do Not Use Your Backs Enough”

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30858, 17 September 1965, Page 13

MR LOUW MYSTIFIED “Do Not Use Your Backs Enough”

[By

I. J. D. HALL,

Rugby Reporter of “The Press.”]

AUCKLAND, September 16.

“Rugby, basically, is a running game, to be played by 15 men. At times, however, in New Zealand, it seems that the game is played only by the forwards,” said the Springbok manager, Mr J. F. Louw, today.

He emphasised that his remarks could only apply to the teams that he had seen play against the Springboks.

“I know that many of your teams have been preparing a particular style of play which they thought would beat us and the rest of your Rugby might be quite different. “But I still feel that you place too much emphasis on your forwards. Often I have seen backs presented with a gap or an overlap kick automatically instead of taking the gap. “Backs Quite Good”

“For some reason, perhaps it is your heavy grounds, you do not use your backs enough. Why this should be is a mystery, for your backs are quite good. But they have to be used more.”

Mr Louw stressed the fact that backs and forwards should complement each other.

“If your forwards are so strong why not pass the ball to the three-quarters and then pass it back into the forwards. It is effective and entertaining.

“I have found much to admire in New Zealand Rugby. As soon as we came here we knew we were in a Rugby country. The players have responded to this and that is why this tour has been a happy one for us.” Learned Something Mr Louw said that when he arrived in New Zealand he had said that the Springboks were here to learn. “Well, we have learned something—the need for tight forward play. After many games in the mud our forwards are playing like the Springbok packs of other years, but we also have the backs, so that now the team seems to have achieved a balance.

“I only wish we had found more dry grounds early in the tour for then I think we could have shown New Zealand some spectacular Rugby.” Asked how he had found referees in New Zealand, Mr Louw said that the standard had been quite good. “We certainly have no complaints.” Asked if the crowds had been as parochial as he might have been led to believe, he replied: “They have been very fair.

“The one-eyed Canterbury crowd which we had been warned about was magnificently fair in the third test.” As a final thought, Mr Louw asked that his thanks to Rugby followers everywhere be expressed.

“New Zealand has been very kind to us. But we are going to win the fourth test and I hope you don’t grudge us that.”