Hockey Skill Or “Rough-house”

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31974, 29 April 1969, Page 17

Hockey Skill Or “Rough-house”

(New Zealand Press Association* WELLINGTON. “New Zealand hockey is at the cross-roads, and must opt for either skill and artistry, or rough-house stuff.”

That is the opinion of the former Otago. Canterbury and New Zealand representative full-back, B. Turner, who is now captain of the Wellington University senior A grade side.

Turner was replying to criticism made by another former New Zealand fullback, I. Free (Auckland) who last week called for an end to “parlour hockey” in New Zealand.

Free was reported as saying in Auckland: “Let us put some zest and drive back into the game.” Free had said the influence of the Canterbury coach, Mr

C. Walter, was preventing New Zealand hockey from reaching the highest international standards. Turner, who while he was in Canterbury, played under the influence of Mr Walter, said: “If those players coached by Mr Walter betray his concepts the fault lies with them, not Mr Walter. “All players under Mr Walter’s guidance are exhorted to make the break when it comes, at the greatest possible speed.” Free had been quoted as saying: “The Walter tactics, too, involve a slavish possession-at-all-costs play. Consequently we have a very slow attacking movement, which is easily countered by an organised defence. “This type of game is so stereotyped that you know what you have to do to counter it before you even go on the field.” Free said. Turner said that the maintenance of possession was not “Walter tactics.”

“What it is, is an elementary requirement for the playing of any team ball game, though I concede that a number of teams I’ve seen and played against have evidently been quite content to run about swatting aimlessly at the air,” he said. Free was also critical of what he considered: “A misapplication of the rules, as interpreted internationally, by some of our umpires at home,” which occurred .at Mexico.

Turner’s reply was: “The rule book is quite clear on that matter. And if some overseas umpires and countries choose to bend the rule to suit their own destructive needs, then I see no reason why we should jump on the same bandwaggon. “In my opinion Mr Walter’s aims have a clear simplicity. “They are concerned with preserving the rights of the skilful player and are committed to the principle that the crude, rough, unskilled player should be kept in the place where he belongs—on the side-line.” Turner said.