Admits They Made Mistake

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31092, 22 June 1966, Page 15

Admits They Made Mistake

Almost in the manner of a bridge player apologetically explaining that he made the wrong bid, the team manager, Mr D. J. O’Brien, said yesterday that the Lions had made an error in their approach to the first three games in New Zealand.

“We were sucked into becoming obsessed with the rucking, scrummaging game that you play so well and neglected possibly our greatest strength -—our backs.”

Mr O’Brien again made a fine impression in his second major press conference of the New Zealand tour.

He carefully considered each question fired at him and his ability to return the question back to the questioner provided some of the best moments of the conference. Guarded Replies Once Mr O’Brien had made the point that the Lions perhaps felt that they had placed undue emphasis on forward play it was obvious, even from Mr O’Brien’s guarded replies, that the Lions would henceforth pay greater attention to their backs. "We were ear-bashed so much before the Southland game and afterwards about the necessity of combating your forwards that we lost sight of the strength of our backs.

“We know now that rucking and other facets of forward play are not the final answer for us—or for Rugby.” Mr O’Brien still felt that his team could be a force on this tour.

”At the moment we have our problems but when we ‘click’ I think we will play good Rugby. And that, after all, is our aim.”

Asked if he thought that the back play of the New Zealand teams the Lions had met so far had been disappointing, Mr O’Brien said he would agree, but again rather guardedly. “1 was pleasantly surprised at the play of the Otago backs.” Mr O’Brien said that he was perturbed at the number of injuries.

“It is disquieting at this stage of the tour but I do not think it has anything to do with our training.”