WILL LIONS’ NEW POLICY MEAN DOUR RUGBY?

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31121, 26 July 1966, Page 19

WILL LIONS’ NEW POLICY MEAN DOUR RUGBY?

(By

I. J. D. HALL)

The British Isles Rugby teams that toured New Zealand in 1950 and 1959 provided some of the best entertainment seen on New Zealand Rugby fields.

The names of B. L Williams, K. J. Jones, J. W. Kyle, B. L. Jones, of the 1950 team; A. W. B. Risman, D. Hewitt, A. J. F. O’Reilly and P. B. Jackson, of the 1959 team—all backs—still bring memories of the glorious attacking back play of Lions teams. In spite of the unimpressive record of this 1966 Lions tea-• there was a crowd of 44.500 at Lancaster Park on Saturday—the second biggest crowd of the tour—and no doubt many came because of the memories of past Lions teams and their brilliant back play. For those who were bitterly disappointed by the match there was another twist of the knife when the manager (Mr D. J. O’Brien) said that the Lions tactics against Canterbury were the counter to the play they had experienced so far on the tour and that “this is the way we are going from now on.”

Parachute Contest. The eighth world parachuting championships opened in Leipzig on Sunday with 173 men and women from 19 countries, including New Zealand, competing.

“The way we are going,”, was so obvious against Can-i terbury. It means a kicking first five-eighths; rugged, dour forward play and a policy of no risks, Mr O'Brien made some stringent comments on rough play after the Canterbury game but this other statement may be just as important It must mean that the Lions will revert to the colourless, drab Rugby that so many teams have played against them. Otago alone of the provinces has been prepared to use its backs against the Lions and Otago won well. Southland, Wellington—which also won—Canterbury. Taranaki j and all the other teams played safety-first Rugby and it was dreary stuff. Can the Lions be blamed? Except against Universities, the Ail Blacks and Otago, they have been committed to forward battles. . Their attitude now is simple. If New Zealand teams pass and run the ball then so will they. If not, then Greek meets Greek. It can be understood why the Lions have changed their attitude but it is still felt that they have made the wrong I decision. Most New Zealand: provincial teams can play it forward very well and prob-j ably with more ruthlessness! than the Lions. What the Lions do have is

’.some exciting and adven■iturous backs who, if given ['rein, can outflank, out-speed • and out-think most teams. ' But players of the quality of S. J. and D. Watkins, D. K. . Jones, C. McFadyean and C. i M. H. Gibson are not geared ■ for the all-in type of Rugby they will meet from most pro- ■ vinces. [ To suggest to the Lions , that they should still concen- , trate on using their backs as jmuch as possible might seem

• to them that they are being i asked to become a sacrificial I victim at the altar of New . Zealand Rugby. f But that is not so. The . great virtues of this Lions . team is the skill and speed I of the backs. Notwithstand- ’ ing what they have had to ■ face so far, it can only be hoped that Mr O'Brien and ; his team can divorce their ■ very strong feelings on rough I i play from their tactics in i coming games. 1