RUGBY

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 2 July 1927, Page 8

RUGBY

SCRUM FORMATION.

THE TWO SYSTEMS. MAOR I INTER N ATION A I/S VIEW. Even coaches Go hoc Know very much about scrum formation and the respective medits of the 3-2-3 and 2-3-2 systems T. Grace, ex-Maori New Zealand international, has written the following interesting article on the subject jn the ‘••Dominion.” At a recent meeting of the Management Committee of the New Zealand .Rugby Union the question of the advantages and disadvantages of the two respective scrum formations was freely discussed by members, viz., 3-2-3, as adopted by other countries, and the 2-3-2 is played by us, all being in favour of abolishing the traditional New Zealand formation for the former, the grounds for such being that New Zealand teams during the past few years including the tour of the All Blacks to England in 1924, Jailed to secure the ball in the. scrums as often as their opponents did, thus proving the weakness of the 2-3-2 formation.

As a Jlugby forward who has had over twenty years of actual playingexperience, including some big football during that period, the most recent ol which was as a member of tbe Non Zealand Maori fifteen that played the South Africans (Springboks; of 1921, l wish to respectfully submit that I am not in accord with the views oi those persons who have condemned our scrum formation, .hereunder being my views for doing so.' (I) A soli<l anil well-balanced pack of seven i'orwwrits, properly packed and knowing their business, will, in my opinion, beat a 3-2-3 pack in the scrams more often than otherwise, as was demonstrated by tiie famous ‘'original All Blacks” of 1905, and to a lesser degree by our Maori pack of 1921, when we invariably beat the eight hefty Springboks’ forwards in the scrums, notwithstanding the fact that they changed their hookers about a dozen times during the game, as well as appealing to the referee to make us alter our formation 1 will, however, admit that we had an exceptionally fine pair of hookers as regards physique, both scaling 14 stone and about sft 10in in height, and I think, just from memory, the above was also the heights of the 1905 All Black’s hookers.

(2) A 2-3-2 scrum can get down and into position quicker, break up and get away into the open more quickly than the opposing eight forwards. due to the adaptable way the scrum is formed, and 1 think this ha.s been proved beyond any doubt by all New Zealand teams in their play against other countries, and which has given our forwards such a great reputation the world over for their persistent- and irresistible rushes in the loose.—The Rover.

come may argue that owing to the stringent rules now prevalent in regard to the wing-forward, that his services would be better utilised in the sc-rtim. Here, again, I beg to differ. I say that the extra, player or wingforward out m the open makes all the difference, and has to a very great extent been the cause of our success in reaching the high pedestal that we have attained in the Rugby world, as explained more fully as follows —■ Should it- happen that the seven forwards gain possession of the ball in the scrum, then this extra- man jm-

mediately links up with his ordinary backs in" a passing About, and provided the passing is carried on successfully the opposing backs more often than not find themselves opposed by an extra hack, and frequently a try follows. On the other hand, should the opposing forwards secure the ball in the scrum, and there again the extra man conics iu, a.s lie can either endeavour to slop the passing movement of the opposition by joining in with the forwards and getting amongst the opposing backs, or he could connect up with bis hacks in defence, in which case the opposition would again find an extra- man to contend with, so that no matter what it is. whether it he attack or defence, this extra man behind the scrum is a. very big factor indeed in assisting his side either to gain a victory or avert defeat, so that 1 consider it would be a. grave error of judgment to abolish the presentstyle. that has stood to us for years, and paved the way for victory after victory. THE ROAD TO VICTORY. Wc must not got away with the idea that getting possession of the ball in the scrums is the onlv road to victory far from it. I have seen many a side who were good at getting possession in the scrums beaten, and as a striking instance take the 1924 All Blacks, for although they were weak in getting the hall from the scrums, still they won all their matches. Why Recause their .formation was so suitable for rapid and changeable movements that they invariably overcame the disadvantage gained through scru in mage, by turning their resources ii» ot her use. In I act, the getting ol the ball appeared to be a minor consideration only, their minds being concentrated oil fast breaking up, and getting possession in the loose. Lt mav he argued also that our style of play tends to spoil the game too much, and is to a certain degree resented by other countries, but after nl is .safii and d-one. we -play the game not only as a game, but also to win if possible, and so long as it is played a.s fairly as possible, and in the proper spirit, it is immaterial what styles are adopted to achieve success. Therefore, as a staunch and loyal supporter of the present style of packing a scrum, nothing can convince me that the 3-2-3 is more effective towards match-winning than the 2-3-2. Only perhaps in the event of South Africa beating us in the titanic Tests that will take place next year will I be convinced, and it- problematical whether I will even then change my opinion, as other unforeseen adverse condition may prevent our boys giving of their best.