Line-Out Inefficiency, Not Laws Causes Concern

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31089, 18 June 1966, Page 17

Line-Out Inefficiency, Not Laws Causes Concern

(From Our Rugby Reporter) DUNEDIN. The soft answer turneth away wrath.

This was proved when the manager of the British Lions (Mr D. J. O’Brien) faced his first full-scale press conference last evening.

Confronted by about 30 journalists in his room, Mr O’Brien, with his laconic Irish humour, parried, sidestepped and counterattacked the variety of questions thrust at him.

Asked by “The Press” if he felt it was necessary to approach the Laws Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union on interpretations, Mr O’Brien said- “No.” “I have no thought on this matter. We have our problems in the line-outs but that is because of our own inefficiency. “I am extremely reluctant to comment on referees.” Punitive Measures

Asked if he approved of punitive measures being taken when Lions players packed in the wrong side of rucks, Mr O’Brien said: “No. “If the referee takes no action, then it is legal. Who,” he asked, “should be punitive then?” A British journalist asked how the Lions would counteract the illegal tactics of New Zealand forwards in the lineouts. Mr O’Brien raised a quizzical eyebrow and passed the question on to the coach (Mr J. D. Robins). Mr Robins, unfortunately, did not hear the word “illegal” and began to expand his theories on how to improve the line-outs. Remedy Weakness Told that he was approving counter-action against illegality, Mr Robins then said that the Lions would remedy their weakness in the line-outs without reference to tactics, legal or otherwise. However, he and Mr O’Brien reiterated they had no complaint about referees.

Mr O’Brien said, when asked how the Lions felt about the tough forward play they had met so far, that they had been prepared for it. “But until you really strike it on the field, you don’t just realise what it is like. We are full of admiration for your play in the forwards.” Mr Robins said: “Your forwards have got combination, vigour, skill and technique. We yet have to get combination and technique.” Asked by “The Press” why the best forwards in the

Home Unions, who had severely tested the All Blacks in 1963-64, were being buffeted about by provincial packs, Mr Robins said that it was a matter of technique, “but we hope to catch up on this.” Mr O’Brien expressed some surprise at the lack of back play opposing them. The Southland pack was so good and it won so much possession that he felt it might have used its backs more. “I can’t remember the ball going past the first fiveeighths. If we had that possession, we would have used it.”