League coach warns against complacency

Press, 7 March 1984, Page 30

League coach warns against complacency

New Zealand cannot afford any complacency in its approach to the rugby league series against the British tourists next July, according to the Kiwi coach, Graham Lowe, who recently returned from a fact-finding mission to England.

Mr Lowe has warned that, while the British might have some problems adjusting their traditional style of football during the early part of their Australian itinerary, they should be at the peak of their capabilities , by the time they arrive in this country. Rugby league in Britain is still adapting to the new rules and Mr Lowe was very much aware of a split between the coaches of the professional clubs. “There is still a very negative section. A few of the coaches believe they know it all and, to my utter dismay, say on television and in the newspapers that

they know it all. They are holding the over-all develop-’ ment of the game back in ■Britain,” said Mr Lowe. “Some teams are just going through the motions of playing out five tackles and then kicking on the sixth, instead of using tactical kicking to best advantage whenever the opportunity arises. Anyone with initiative is criticised by their club directors, coaches and spectators. “But it is heartening that there is a growing group of coaches who are incorporating new ideas. Their clubs, Leeds, Hull, Hull Kingston Rovers, Warrington and Widnes among them, are enjoying success,” he said. “Those top clubs are reaping the benefits. Others also have a crop of talented players, but they are not allowed to show any variety,” said Mr Lowe. As is customary, Australian critics have already written off Britain’s chances — both before and after Britain had achieved 12-0 and 10-0 victories in the home-and-away series with France.

“Really it depends on which players Britain picks. There are certainly many good players in Britain, particularly in the backs. It would be possible to field a back-line with every member being as quick as, say, Dean Bell.

“Some experienced forwards will be needed. Whether the pack performs as well as it might will come down to whether Britan takes the plunge and chooses new, young, players,” he said.

Britain still needs to alter its thinking, though, if it is to capitalise on the opportunism promoted by the new laws. “I am sure that after a few games in Australia the British will turn more to the Australian methods of tactical kicking and switching the direction of play. If they

don’t they will make it a lot harder for themselves,” added Mr Lowe. He felt that the French had varied their football more than the British in the recent tests. However, France had difficulty breaking the British defence and conceded points because of a lack of self-discipline. In the second match Britain’s 10 points all came from penalties and France also had two men sent to the sinbin for lOmin periods. Of the present test players, Mr Lowe has special respect for the British hooker, Brian Noble, the loose forward, David Hall, and the midfield backs, Mike Smith and Gary Schofield, the latter having his first professional season after touring New Zealand with the British amateur colts last year.

But he is not convinced that Britain is making full use of its resources. As an example, Mr Lowe is surprised that the two second-row forwards who impressed him most at club level are not in the British training squad, even though one of them, John Fieldhouse, was highly praised by the 1982-83 Australian team. JOHN COFFEY