Rugby problems

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31763, 21 August 1968, Page 11

Rugby problems

’THERE are still one or two pressing problems to be solved by the Canterbury Rugby team, which starts its North Island tour with the game against Waikato today. It was very evident against Otago that one of the major faults of the Hawke’s Bay match—a lack of combined effort and drive by the forwards—had not been rectified. Otago played the game very close to the chest and, with S. H. O. Reaney, not infrequently offside but still allowed to create havoc in the Canterbury back line, seven forwards could be employed in the tight. Canterbury, by sharp comparison, often had only four or five men matched against the Otago pack .which for the Intensity of its driving and fury of rucking suggested a southern pack of 20 years ago. Because of the fine deeds of J. F. Burns and I. A. Kirkpatrick, and M. R. Perkins, Canterbury enjoyed a dominance of line-out possession. The strength of K. J. Tanner and A. E. Hopkinson was vital to the swift striking of J. N. Creighton, and his three tight-heads helped to-

wards the over-all lead in possession. But combined and unified hard work was too often missing.

In spite of the close attention Reaney paid to the backs, they could still have won the game for Canterbury but for a lack of speed in mid-field.

On a heavy ground at Ashburton, H. T. Joseph found most of the other players reduced to his speed but on a firmer ground, such as Carisbrook provided, he was not quick enough. Joesph had the ability to make partial breaks with weight and strength, but thereafter was too slow to either continue the break or make play for his wings. A temporary solution could be to restore P. K. Hatchwell to centre threequarter, and have the Linwood players, R. F. Cocks and R. J. Woolhouse, on the wings. Cocks, although not endowed with blinding speed, is worthy of an extended trial. He has scored four tries in his two games and is most determined near the line. His try against Otago, when he scored in the comer in two tackles, was an excellent wing’s try.