RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 4 May 1938, Page 4

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

DECLINE IN STANDARD OF PLAY.

STATEMENT BY MR MEREDITH.

(Bv Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day.

In the course of his presidential address to the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union, Mr, T. Meredith reviews the condition of the game in New Zealand, as revealed in the light of the Springboks’ tour, as follows : “The wonderful success-of our visitors last year has at last made us realise that all is not well with our football. For this reason, if no other, w© are indebted to them. If w© are again to take our place in the football world, then it behoves ©very player and administrator of the game to take to heart the lessons learned from the tour and to work for unanimity throughout New Zealand.” He said that perhaps the main reason for the decline could be traced to departing from the rules as laid down by the International Board. It apparently was thought that the game could be made more attractive, but the public were not attracted. He stressed the attendances at the Springboks’ tour matches, which showed that the public appreciated Rugby under international rules. To get back to the standard., he said, it was necessary to start with boys in the primary schools with coaching on the right lines. If this was followed in secondary schools’ boys, yhen they came to play grade football, should have a good knowledge of the game. The main weakness appeared to be with the forwards, “We have developed a non-pushing type, those who want to get out in the open sc as to catch the eye of selectors. Until w r o get hack to honest packing on a scientific system we cannot expect our game to improve,” lie continued. Forwards must learn to dribble, so as not to lose control and line-out work must be developed, and the necessity of solidity was stressed alike in set scrums, line-outs and rucks. Forwards, like backs, must be chosen to fill places and the .whole eight must not bo called upon to be flyaways. To assist in getting the game back to a proper standard referees must help, Mr. Meredith strongly criticised the refereeing at some of the matches last year, particularly regarding the way in which the ball was allowed to be put into the scrum.