'SPOILER OF FOOTBALL'

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 128, 27 November 1923, Page 8

'SPOILER OF FOOTBALL'

WING-FORWARD IN RUGBY

AN AUSTRALIAN OPINION^

It is regrettable that New Zealander* persist in featuring the wing-forward as part and parcel of their tactical scheme " states Mr. T. H. Bosward, the wellknown New South Wales Eugby official, in his report upon the recent tour of the N.S.W. Rugby representatives to New Zealand. "It is timea bold policy was adopted and this spoiler and obstructionist ruled out of the game. To my mind, and a careful study over many •years, embracing two tours of New Zealand, emphasises the view, the adoption of the 3-2-3 scrum would overcome the difficulty. I am convinced that ■ this formation has proved its success in securing possession against the New Zealand style, 2-3-2. It is a great pity the two countries have not fallen . into line on the wing-forward question, for it is time the obstructionist and spoiler are ruled out of the game.. , . ' . ■ "The wing-forward soon made his appearance, and in our opening game at Wellington it became advisable to take a forward from the pack to obstruct some of this gentleman's depredations. I am quite convinced that New Zealand referees, generally, are too lenient to this spoiler of football. It is also certain that; the present low standard of back play (and it is much below the 1905 standard yet) is due to this leniency and the frustration of play which is allowed. The persistence of spoiling methods also tends to irritation. The only 'incidents' in ten games • occurred at Wellington, in each of the two games played there, and the wing-forward methods, not:the man, provoked these" Mr. Bosward-states that, being short of big men for second-rank and ' lock positions on the tour, the team was compelled to play a 3-4 pack, and even then secured from a majority of scrums in all but the final Test, when the heavy ground militated against the tourists