N.Z. Scrum Methods Unchanged : Backs Show More Thrust

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22972, 15 June 1949, Page 7

N.Z. Scrum Methods Unchanged : Backs Show More Thrust

(10 a.m.) East London, June 14. Though the All Blacks have been out-hooked in the first four matches, no radical changes have been made in the scrummaging methods at practices.

All efforts are still directed at attaining a compact and mobile scrum and the ordinary New Zealand technique of. applying weight is still being followed. The only aspect of scrummaging which is being given the utmost consideration is the need for the hooker to advance his feet as near as possible, to the side from which the ball is being put in. This is the regular procedure with the South African hookers who often just trap the ball and the side front-row and the side fllank forwards then help in hooking it. In view of Christian’s good performance against Louw, Eastern Province, who is the likely South African test hooker, it is reasonable to assume that when Catley returns, the All Blacks may do much better. Catley’s methods approximate those of the South Africans, and if the pack develops the compactness necessary for efficient scrummanging, the whole complexion of the tour may change. The critical point of the tour is therefor likely to be reached when Catley returns.

If the All Blacks then still fail to win a fair share of the ball, their scrummaging methods may have to undergo alteration.

Despite the manner in which the team has been out-hooked, their backs have revealed much greater thrust on attack than their opponents. In the first four matches the All Blacks won 57 smrums to 102, but this loss of possession was almost cancelled out by the forwards winning 105 lineouts to 62. From all sources the All Blacks have had 138 passing rushes of which 2S reached the wings and 18 went to the Their opponents had 98 passing rushes of which nine went to the wings and nine to the centres. This was a creditable performance for a side running itself into form against provincial fifteens which have already played a number of representative matches. , . , , , Oft the All Blacks’ tune tries to date, five have been engineered exclusively by the backs and two others were the result of the forwards supporting the Opposing teams have scored only one try by the backs penetrating the defence. Penalties in the four games have been 23 for New Zealand and 33 for their opponents.