THE SIMPLE TRUTH

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 120, 17 November 1937, Page 11

THE SIMPLE TRUTH

SPRINGBOKS TOO GOOD

%■ N.Z. RUGBY UNION ' CRITICISED

"The attitude taken up by the New! Zealand Rugby Union in desiring an inquiry into the standard of football following the heavy defeats in. the last season is, I think, hardly complimentary to the Springboks," said the chairman, Mr. J. N. Millard, when the Wellington Rugby Union, last night was invited by the parent body to consider suggestions. "The simple truth," said Mr. Millard, "is that the Springboks were far too good for. us."

Mr. J. King: It looks as if the New Zealand Union is trying, to put-th« blame for the Test defeats on to the administration of the provincial unions.

"I think," said Mr. Millard, "that,the New Zealand Union should be advised to obtain a; report- from the Selectors and others who watched the Springboks on the weakness of scrum forma* tion in New Zealand." He considered that there,.was some ignorance on tha correct method of packing.the 34-1 sdrum and that it was senseless,to talk about reverting to the 2-3-2 formation, since it was impossible, , with the old formation, to secure the ball against a three-fronted formation. The New Zealand Union ought to obtain a re» port from competent observers of the Springbok matches on the New Zealand weakness in threfe-fronted scrummaging. The report, if at could be obtained, should be incorporated in the school handbook.

. IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

In advising that an invitation to send two delegates to the Imperial Rugby conference in South Africa next. July had been accepted, the New Zealand Union mentioned that the new rula book containing the laws of the, game, new constitution, etc., was being printedj and would shortly be forwarded .to unions. Unions were requested, on receipt of the handbook, to forward by December 3 any suggestions for discussion at the Imperial conference.'

The members considered a sugges* tion that school handbooks should con» tain hints on coaching and agreed that the handbook should be brought up to.date every few years and sent out to-.schools. It was stated- that th« book edited by Messrs. T. A. Fletcher and W. J. Wallace had been helpful, and that thousands had-been sent to schools in all parts of the Dominion.

The New Zealand Union advised that strict action against other than bona fide journalists- would be taken in re« spect to committeemcn, players, and re. ferees writing, giving information or interviews to the Press, or bradcast* ing on current Rugby football, for remuneration. . ". .