THE SPRINGBOKS

Hokitika Guardian, 15 September 1937, Page 5

THE SPRINGBOKS

NEW ZEALAND PLAY. CHRISTCHURCH, September 12. “Before we left the North Island wc were told that we were just going to scrape home,” said Air Craven, in discussing points in which the Rugby tactics of the Springboks differed from those of the teams they had met in the South island part of their tour. “I am glad we have been so successful. AYe were also told that we should meet a more ruged type ' of player down here, but actually I found these games more enjoyable than all but two of those we played in the North Island.

“One tiling I’ve noticed about the type of play here. Whether it is wet or dry, you play wet weather football. You don’t rely on the backs as much as wo do. We consider thao victory or failure depends on the foiwards, but, allowing that they make the game possible, rely on the hacks to carry on. If we have possession of the ball the other side has got to defend.

“Another thing is that your bae'ks almost always string out in a straights line from the scrum, except in tnen own twenty-five, when everything is concentrated on defence. But actually when your opponents are up in voui .twenty-five am attacking movtvuom. may be very valuable, because tnuj don't expect you to attack. 4hey are then not defending so strongly, and you may catch them napping. “Your forwards seem to me to play too loose. The first duty of forwards is to push in the scrums and they should only break away when the ball is out. Your forwanfs try to bottle up the halves; our s try to prevent them breaking away. If they succeed- in breaking away, then our forwards concentrate in covering the hack play. Another point is that if possible the hall should be kept in play, for a line-out helps very little towards producing a score. Our idea is to keep the ball in and work from scrums rather than line-outs.”-. Mr Craven considered that the teams the Springboks had met in the South Island bad all started off too fast, forgetting that a loolball match might he likened to a mile race, in which it was essential to stay the whole distance. The Springboks gradually worked themselves up as the game proceeded, and could always play their best in the last five oi ten minutes.

•'These games we have played so far show that the rules of Rugby as they stand are capable of producing good open Rughv." said Mr Craven in conclusion. “They don’t want any amendment.’’

N.S.W. TOUR PROFITS. SYDNEY. September 14. Tt was announced at a meeting ot the New South Wales Rugby Union that-the profits from the recent tour of the Springboks amounted to CURB.