RUGBY FOOTBALL

Grey River Argus, 7 October 1941, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL

Reviewing the past year, Mr. G. Askenbeck, of Reefton, writes:-—As the 1941 Rugby season on the West Coast has now closed, comments on the standard of play may be opportune. Of the two recent west Coast-Buller games, one has been described as “rotten,” the other as “uninteresting,” and “a typical West Coast-Bulie r game.” According to the press reports of_the various interprovincial games, it would be equally correct to describe them as typical of New Zealand football in general. Players of the calibre found m provincial teams should invariably oe competent to give a scientific and spectacular exhibition of football, and failure to do so can only be due, in the first place, to defective scrum work. In every game based on bodily skill, the methods must to oe effective, conform with sound mechanical principles; and Rugby, especially that branch ol it devoted to the scrum, is no exception. YeL ; while back play has been developed to as high a state of perfection as is compatible with the standard oi. pi sent day scrym work, the scrum itself despite many changes, has remained in the same crude state as m the beginning. The correct position ot the rear foot to give the greatest possible individual heave; the correct and height of packing to direct that force horizontally; and the use of the correct formation, together with shoulder action tp direct this force, at the right time, to the vital P ol jtt of the scrum —these' are some of the principles of sound play that have not as yet come within the knowledge of New Zealand players, while the speedy transfer of the ball t ron 7 the toe of the hooker to the hand of the five-eighth—so essential to successful attack by the backs —is still susceptible of much improvement in technique. The natu ,rai consequence of all this is that the scrum becomes as scramble, and the whole game partakes of the sa^Q e character. Brute strength holds sway to the encouragement of rough and foul play, an outstanding example of many being the recent game between Auckland and Hawke’s Bay., The men themselves are not altogether to blame. Regimentation of players, and fauLy interpretation and administration ot the rules, together with apathy and prejudice on the part of controlling bodies in the matter of improving the technique of the game, nave led to the disappearance of much of tne old time enthusiasm so necessary to the development of the scientific side of Rugby. For it should be recognised that players qualified to discern improvements to the games that are sound as well as practicable, are comparatively rare, and H their ideas are ignored bv their more apathetic team-mates, progress . is .impossible. The various _ points touched on here are of vital importance to the welfare of the game m New Zealand, and reasonable comment thereon in your columns may be the means of beneficial action beino- taken in those Quarters that are supposed to have the good of the game at heart.