Maoris unable to play rucking rugby

Press, 29 October 1982, Page 30

Maoris unable to play rucking rugby

NZPA staff correspondent

Swansea

The near traditional difficulty which New Zealand touring sides encounter when they attempt to play their normal rucking game in the British Isles was re-emphasised when the Maori All Blacks were held to a 10-10 draw by an inspired Maesteg side yesterday.

The clash of the two different approaches — the ruck and the British-style maul — and the importance of the referee allowing the New Zealanders to play their preferred style was well in evidence as Maesteg was allowed almost at will to frustrate the Maoris’ 4 attempts to win quick possession.

The English referee, Roger Parker, a late replacement for the ill Laurie Prideaux. appeared to have little inclination to stop Maesteg going over the top of the tackled ball and preventing the Maoris from rucking. The tourists’ annoyance at the tactic surfaced in the ninth minute when an all-in brawl was sparked by a Maesteg forward punching Hawke’s Bay half-back, Paul Blake, as he cleared from a line-out.

The Maoris’ coach. Percy Erceg, later' put the blame for the violent flare-up and other niggly incidents squarely on the Maoris’ frustration at not being able to play their natural game. “That’s where most of the trouble started. The Welsh forwards had a habit of going to ground on our side of the tackled ball and they weren’t pulled up for it," he said.

The Maoris’ manager, Waka Nathan, while loath to criticise Mr Parker, noted: “We were simply not allowed to ruck.’’

The Maoris were perhaps unlucky yesterday in that Mr Parker seemed as unaware of the necessities of the New Zealand approach to rugby

as he was ignorant of the new laws such as that which states that the attacking side - not the defender — shall be given the feed to a scrum arising from a static ruck or maul.

Fortunately, referees who will control future Maori games such as Tony Trigg. Colin High and Alan Welsby (the “test” against the Welsh XV) have experience of the New Zealand approach. The Maoris will also probably find fewer problems this week-end against Swansea, which since its 32-0 hammering by the 1980 All Blacks, has decided that the ruck may be a valid weapon and has used it to great effect this season. The Maesteg game has left the Maoris with a string of other problems — still revolving largely round lineout possession and scrummaging. Only the lock, Paul Tuoro, and the prop, Kevin Boroevich, near the front of the line-out were regular sources of ball while the former All Black, Hud Rickit, was again unassertive. A high percentage of the Maoris’ possession was also poor quality and to make Blake’s job worse, the Maesteg forwards were able to pour through huge gaps in the line-out. The Maori scrum again made little impact on the Maesteg feed but sometimes found itself being shunted back, albeit less drastically than at Cardiff, on its own feed. Mr Erceg said: “We worked hard on both areas this week and we’ll obviously

have to work harder, but their forwards simply seem more skilled at winning the ball." The Maori coach ruled out any immediate adoption of short line-outs as a means of gaining good possession: “I’m not in favour of them for our style of game and it would be too like just throwing in the towel if we started using them so soon.” he said. Mr Nathan chose to voice his admiration for the strength of forward play in Wales. “We had the Springboks last year in New Zealand but from what we’ve seen so far. the Welsh forwards are as good, if not better," he said. The Maoris' performance against Maesteg was in the final analysis fatally flawed by the many mistakes they made while in strong attacking positions. Although Mr Erceg believed that the first fiveeighths, Tu Wyllie. should have kicked more of the poor quality ball he received in the first 40 minutes, the second five-eighths, Steve Pokere. and the centre, Victor Simpson, did marvellously well to often get the wing's. Robert Kururangi and Kawhena Woodman, away with long passes. Only knock-ons and the like prevented the Maoris scoring on at least five occasions. Scorers were.New Zealand Maoris: Kawhena Woodman a try. Andy Baker, a try and a conversion.

Maesteg: Phil Phillips a try. lan Hall two penalty goals.