State of the union

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31727, 10 July 1968, Page 11

State of the union

fTHE line-out tactics used x by the Australians in the tests against the All Blacks have provoked a considerable amount of discussion among Rugby followers, and already a comparison is being made with the depredations caused by the South African No. 8, H. Muller, in 1949.

However, like Muller, the Australians were playing within the letter of the law. It was incorrect when the chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union Council (Mr T. C. Morrison) said that the Australians were playing “ducks and drakes with the laws.”

The pattern of number eight play from the end of the line-out stated by Muller in 1949 was legislated out of Rugby in 1964 when the International Rugby Board passed a law that the length of the line-out should be dictated by the last man in the line-out of the team throwing the ball in. This was aimed at removing the number eight from the centre of the field and at the same time laws were passed—the 10-yard law from the line-out particularly—which aimed at providing greater scope for back play. For a few years things went along smoothly until teams started using abbreviated line-outs. Just as the wing started to throw the ball in some of the forwards of his side would scatter out

to the backs. As this team dictated the end of the lineout, the opposing team had to dispatch the same number of players away from the line-out, otherwise they would be penalised. To stop this, the International Rugby Board this year passed another law which stated that once a line-out had formed players could not leave until the line-out had ended. But at the same time another amendment was passed which said that a line-out had to have a minimum of two players. The Australians used two or three men in many of their line-outs so they were definitely playing within the laws. Whether it was within the spirit is another matter. It is quite obvious that if teams start reducing their line-outs to two players, another six forwards will be standing out among the backs. Now it is difficult enough for a back to make a break in the face of man to man defence. With another six players in front of him it would become almost impossible. Twenty-odd players milling round in mid-field after a line-out cannot produce good Rugby and the International Rugby Board probably will have to change the law again. The most likely move would be to insist on a minimum of six players from both teams in the lineout.

Line-out laws are most important. Usually there are about 70 to 80 line-outs in a match (considerably more when New Brighton is playing) compared with about 30 scrums. Line-outs present the greatest opportunity from which to start attacking play, particularly since the opposing backs have to stand back 10 yards.

One of the reasons advanced for the Canterbury Rugby Union dropping Mr G. T. Nolan as back selector this season was that he had overlooked the claims of some wellperformed backs and also included the 18-year-old, L. Dickson in his squad. The new back selector, Mr M. J. Dixon, might be wondering just how stable Is his position. He has put Dickson In the Canterbury squad, and the backs who played against Wellington had all represented Canterbury regularly last year. * * *

The frank discussion by the management committee of the Canterbury Rugby Union on the standard of Rugby in the senior competition and the unwelcome trends in international Rugby should be commended.

On too many occasions sporting bodies tend to ignore standards of play,

particularly when numbers playing the sport are increasing. Clubs and coaches should now be aware that it is not only the public that is disappointed at some of the mediocre and dull Rugby being presented this season. * * *

Just how farcical would have the France-Otago match been If the new replacement rule had not been passed? Otago had four players taken from the field. If that had happened under the old rules Otago would have been reduced to 11 men. It was disquieting to read the reports that many of the players injured in the match suffered through head-high and late tackles with France on most occasions being the offender.