RUGBY PLANS

Hokitika Guardian, 6 October 1936, Page 2

RUGBY PLANS

AUSTRALIA PR ERA RING

LESSONS FROM NEW ZEALAND

SYDNEY, October 5

The New South Wales Rugby Union wil| be recommended l by the management committee to convene a eonfereee of coaches and others to discuss the question of tactics and the general trend of play. It is proposed that coaches of the first grade clubs, members of the State selection committee, representatives of the management committee, and the Referees’ ' Association, and the leaders of the Australian team in New Zealand, should be invited to attend the conference. The object of the management committee is to arrive at basic, principles for the guidance of coaches and others, (as it is considered that there should become positive constructive policy for future operations. Those behind the scheme consider that, while it cannot be expected that all coaches should use the same methods. a discussion on styles of play generally would be of value. They expect that the advice of those associated with the Australian team that toured New Zealand will be of great value, especially in view of the visit of the Springboks next season.

There are many close followers of the game in Sydney alio believe that a tightening up of forward play would he advantageous. Forward play in some matches in Sydney this year has shown little difference between the breakaways and the old New Zealand wingforwards. While it is recognised that forwards, generally, have improved in handling and combining in attackin movements, it is considered that the 'employment of persistent defensive tactics by a certain type of player has bad an undesirable effect. It i s contended that the presence of mere “soppers’’ should not be encouraged, as these players hamper the work of backs by methods which cannot be accepted as truly legitimate forward play. The Springboks are certain to field a strong pack here next year, and it might pay America, without sacrificing the ideal of attractve play, to tighten up the forwards and encourage a return to orthodoxy in some directions.