WILL THERE BE A CHANGE ?

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 98, 27 April 1935, Page 22

WILL THERE BE A CHANGE ?

Early in the week the writer indicated in an article in "The Post" that there was a move to revert to the 2-3-2 scrummage formation. A remit on the matter has been going the rounds, and it has been accorded some support, thought it remains to be seen whether the voice of a majority of the unions is in favour of reverting to the old order. There is nothing whatever in the rules to stop teams from adopting the traditional. New Zealand formation. The change was made to meet the wishes of those controlling the game in the Old Country. But it has spoilt New Zealand's game, which will not regain its former 'high standard -■srmi the lines upon which New Zealand Rugby was developed are brought into use again. . That there is a keen desire to get back to New Zealand's game .is indicated in reports from various quarters of teams employing the 2-3-2 scrummage formation and a wing-forward. In some cases a 3-3-2 formation is adopted, the wing-forward simply putting his head down with the two frontrankers. The danger there, however, is that (as some teams have experienced) the wing-forward is held in his front-rank position' by the opposition until such time as his effectiveness in breaking-oft quickly ;is lost. The straight-out 2-3-2 formation is, of course, the better, the more so now that the scrummage laws have been altered again. Here is an item of interest from the "Christchurch Times": "The wing-forward, an old friend and a great favourite with many Rugby football supporters, appeared at Lancaster Park on Saturday afterenoon after an absence of four years. The Timarif Boys' High School Old Boys team, in the match against Christchurch, High School Old Boys, , taking licence from the fact that the game had no official standing, as it was purely a friendly fixture, played a wing-forward and used the traditional New Zealand 2-3-2 scrum formation against the 3-4-1 scrum of their opponents. Though the strict legality of their action is open to question, the game afforded an interesting test as to the efficacy of the old and the new formations. • The old proved itself easily the better, Timaru's seven men getting the ball from the opposing eight in the proportion of nearly two to one." In other games in different centres this season the 2-3-2 formation has been used.

SUPPORT FOE 2-0-2 FORMATION