TRIUMPH OF TACTICS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 3 July 1928, Page 5

TRIUMPH OF TACTICS

THE SPRINGBOKS’ VICTORY CONTRAST IN STYLES. AFRICAN COMMENT ON MATCH. (Special to Press Association.) DURBAN, July 2. Newspapers throughout the country devote columns of, comment and leadincr articles to the first test match, in which South Africa beat New Zealand bv 17 points to nil. ‘The "Natal Mercury,” in a. leader headed "Triumph of Tactics,” said: "Tnere is one serious question which must inevitably be raised after a. game of tlie tvpe seen at Kings mead on Saturday' That is the effect of the tactics adopted by the Springboks on the popularity of the • game, which must, after all, Ire a large consideration with those in authority. ‘‘To counteract- the brilliance of the New Zealanders in the open, South Africa had to close up the game and 1 keep it dose throughout. This was done wonderfully well. There were many who witnessed the game who asked the question, ‘ls this Rugby ? Is this the best South Africa, having built up a reputation by brilliant hack play, can do?’ "The Springboks in 1906 were capable of playing A Vales at her own game and heating her. Should not the Springboks in 1928 be able to beat New Zealand also at her own game? The tactics adopted formed a. tacit ad-.mi-ssion of inferiority in that respect; so we had a game glorious in the matching of force with force, remarkable as a demonstration of the physical fitness of the two teams, hut not I'cantiful to watch. There was- none of that captivating back play which has been, in the past South Africa’s peculiar nride, and none of that swift passing to speedy wing men, followed by exhilarating bursts for the line. ' "The battle of styles is for the moment over. South Africa has gained tire first round, and) that so decisively that the tactics followed appear to be more than abundantly justified, but the general public demands a spectacular game- to-day, and if they do not get it support is liable to fall away. Eor South African Rugby to prosper the play must count almost as much as the. result.” Mr. F. M. Howard says: ‘‘South Africa won one of the greatest triumphs of her Rugby history when the New Zealanders were beaten in a match which must go down in the record's as productive of some of the finest forward -play ever seen, for the South African pack, acknowledged- to be a fine one, played extraordinary Rugby from the .start, and gained such a stranglehold on the All Blades that thev were never able to get. away in their specialty—fine combined attacks with the ball slung about with glorious freedom. Never for a moment did the Springboks' relax their grip on the game. The All Blacks were pinned dow in to a- dour defence for the greater part.” Great exception is taken by the New Zealand team to the following paragraph, which appeared in the- "Natal Mercury”: "It is common talk, based on concrete fact, that everything lias not been well non run as smoothly as it might do for some time in the All Black camo. Where the fault lies it is not ones Business to say, but any dissension or lack of pulling together must reflect equally, upon- every member of a party that should be held together as'one man by the thought that they are above all other minor considerations the chosen representatives of a country, charged with upholding the honour of a common- homeland. in another part of the globe.” Both the manager, Air. Hornig, and tjie caotain of the team. Maurice Brownlie, strongly deny any suggestion of dissension. The reporter responsible- was asked by the All Blacks to substantiate the statement, but he could not do so. He promised to publish an- apology.