Quality Rugby promised

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33052, 20 October 1972, Page 24

Quality Rugby promised

(From J. K. BROOKS, N.Z.P.A. special correspondent) VANCOUVER. The coach, Mr R. H. Duff, wants the All Blacks to show Vancouver spectators “football of quality” when the four-month tour begins with the game against British Columbia at Brockton Oval today.

“We will endeavour to reach a high standard in this game,” he said. “If it is easy, and I am not suggesting it will be, then I hope we can play good, constructive Rugby in winning. That is our aim for the tour and we want to set the pattern from the start. "My hope is that the forwards play cohesively and the backs move the ball. British Columbia is an unknown quantity to us, but, like all our other opponents on this tour, we will not be taking them cheaply.” If yesterday’s training run by the All Blacks was any guide, the tourists evidently mean business. The sight of New Zealand forwards peeling from the line-out and their driving plays had Vancouver Rugby men nodding wide-eyed with approval. And the speed and precision of the back movements also won admiration. The All Blacks are determined to win, and win well,

and if their anticipated forward supremacy eventuates, the backs should have the British Columbian defence stretched to the limit. Mr Duff paid particular attention to the line-outs, the scrummaging technique of P. J. Whiting, and to the use of A. I. Scown in the loose. These two forwards should play a significent part in New Zealand’s effort, with Whiting likely to dominate lineouts and Scown being relied on to get the loose ball and set up rucks. Interest in the game is high for Rugby in Canada, and attendance at the match is expected to be about 7000. The match will start at midday New Zealand time. Nomination.—The Canterbury Rugby Union has nominated Mr M. R. Barnett for the position of director of the New Zealand union’s junior coaching school In Wellington in either March or April. Triple lump.—Viktor Saneyev, the Olympic triple-jump champion. regained the world record he lost last year to Pedro Perez, of Cuba, with three jumps of 57ft 2.6 in at a Russian competition in the Black Sea resort of Sukhumi.