STANDARD OF NEW ZEALAND RUGBY

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 142, 12 March 1938, Page 8

STANDARD OF NEW ZEALAND RUGBY

Means Of Improvement RECOMMENDATIONS BY COUNCIL Adoption Of International Rules Fayoured

Recommendations designed to improve the standard of Rugby football in New Zealand and dealing with both the nlaving and administrative aspects of the game were adopted by the New Zealand Rugby Council at a meeting in Wellington yesterday. Causes belie\ ed to be responsible for a deterioration in the standard of play are set out) together with suggested remedial measures. , . , , The report, which was adopted by the council, stated:— It is to be recognised and admitted that viewed from a comparison with international sides and playing under international rules, there has been over a period a deterioration m the standard of New Zealand Rugby,, and this report is framed on the basis of that comparison. The clauses can be classed under' three heads: —

(1) The original departure from international rules. (2) Failure to adapt ourselves to the new serum formation. (3) Gradual but decided lack of strict attention to recognised fundamental principles of the game. Dealing with these headings seriatim :—

(1) The alteration of the line-kicking rules altered to an extent the tactical side of the game and had a general tendency to prevent the development of accurate line-kicking and the overdevelopment of open forward play. These factors place at a disadvantage players who have learned their football under amended rules when required to play under international rules. (2) The adoption of the three-fronted scrum altered the playing of the game materially in two directions: (a) The method of packing and disposition of forwards; (b) the back play close to the scrum and the disposition o£ the backs.

New Zealand play has developed under the traditional 2-3-2 scrum, and the back play associated with it. There has been a tendency to retain those methods under the altered scrum conditions to which they are not fully suitable, instead of developing or adopting the different methods rendered necessary by the change. Lessons as to what those changes should be were learned to some extent by the 1935 team in England, and were further demonstrated in the recent tour of the South Africans. Necessary Fundamentals. (3) There are certainly fundamentals necessary to be observed in playing of Rugby irrespective of what particular set of rules are being observed, mainly: (a) Determined clean tackling; (b) ability of backs to field the ball with certainty, either in the air or on the ground; (c) ability of forwards to. control ball at feet; (d) ability of backs to kick accurately with either foot; (e) ability to deliver and take passes cleanly; (f) honest and correct scrum work; (gj jumping and teamwork on line-outs; (h) a general knowledge of the laws of the game and the spirit In which they should be played. It is felt also that all these phases of the game should be developed by players in the very earliest stages of their football careers, as it is useless for an adult player to attempt, suddenly to develop theih when approaching the Interprovincial or international class. It is considered that there has been a decided falling-off in attention to these details and there should be adopted by those responsible for the coaching of even the youngest players an Insistence on the observance of them. Recommendations on Playing Aspect.

(1) International rules should be adopted, except-that the present practice of replacing injured players be not interfered with. (2) Adoption of the 3-4-1 scrum, the basis of the packing being low with straight pushing. (3) Alteration in the tactical play of the -backs, mainly:—(a) The halfback to develop a longer pass from the scrum j (b) to stand alongside the opposing half when the latter is putting the ball in the scrum and, on the opposing side getting possession, not to retire; (c) the fust five-eighth to stand further from the scrum.

(4) fl’ll ere should be held in the various centres frequent meetings of club coaches and captains for the discussion of tactical and other methods of formation and play in connection with the game, particularly with a view to general changes necessitated by alteration in scrum formation. i (5) That there’Should be made available for the unions for display to club coaches, captains and players and schools, copies of a slow-motion film of correct scrum packing, hooking, and passing. , It must be recognised that the conclusions we have come to and the suggestions we have made must necessarily be general in character It would be impossible to set out in detail what we consider should be done in regard to coaching, etc., in every aspect. The details are entirely matters for the Individuals in the various centres and clubs to work %ut, and also are mat--ters concerning Which there may be considerable room for difference of opinion. Administration. Trials: The North v. SoU’th match, preceded by a trial match, should be played on a Saturday, followed by two trial games on the Wednesday, and two trial games on the following Saturday. Where possible outstanding players should not be played more than twice. Provincial selectors, in nominating players, should only nominate those who have a reasonable chance of inclusion in a New Zealand team. New Zealand selectors should have the right to go outside nominations to fill vacancies. " , ~ , Selectors: Two selector? should be appointed for each island to select the players for the North v. South match and the first trial match; after which tbe teams to be selected by a sole selector, previously appointed by the council. The selection of a captain of New Zealand teams should be made by tbe council in conjunction with the selector. The selection of teams on tour should be made by a selection committee consisting of the manager, captain and vice-captain. . Spells: In all provincial matches two periods of 40 minutes each shall be played, in other matches the duration of -play should not exceed equal periods of 40 minutes.

Consolidations of Unions: That an effort be made to consolidate some of the smaller and more remote unions.

Curtailment of sub-unions by the substitution of clubs where practicable is desirable. Ranfurly Shield: That the rules of the Ranfurly Shield be revised. _ . Referees: Referees’ associations throughout. New Zealand should use every effort to obtain uniformity of rulings. That rule books lie issued by the New Zealand union only and these to be a copy of tbe rules issued by the International Board. Pamphlet: That a pamphlet for tlie guidance of players be issued to unions and schools. . Preferential Booking: The number of season ticket holders to be given preferential booking to be limited to the number of a normat year. Temporary Stands: Before any project for temporary stands can be considered, plans drawn by an architect, or some other qualified authority approved by the council, must, be submitted to tbe union for approval.