To Expedite Film On Rugby Trailing

Northern Advocate, 28 October 1949, Page 9

To Expedite Film On Rugby Trailing

WELLINGTON, In. (P.A.) One immediate effect of New Zealand's failures in international Rugby this year is a keen desire expressed throughout New Zealand to improve the standard of the game.

One of the lirst steps by the New Zealand Rugby Union to meet that demand will be to expedite the delivery of coaching films made while the All Blacks were in South Africa. At today's meeting of the NZRFU Council. Mr J. H. Parker, manager of the touring side, said the film was made at Durban following the third test.

The South African Government film studios provided cameramen and players of both countries participated. All phases of piny, continued Mr Parker, had been covered, and subsequently he and Mr A. McDonald, with members of the New Zealand team, saw 2000 ft of rough proofs. They had formed a highly favourable opinion ol it. From that proof two units each of 400 ft and requiring 10 minutes to film, were being made.

The negative of the film, together with the sound track, would be sent to New Zealand so that as many copies as required ■ ould be made. Mr Parker said the films included demonstrations of ’he South African style of play, particularly the halfbacks, and also a demonstration in slow-motion of the Springbok scrum. The executive was autuorised to obtain copies as soon as possible.

NORTH-SOUTH MATCH Is the tail-end of the season too late for the annual North-South Rugby match? This question was debated today, but no decision was reached. The general opinion of the meeting was that the second or third Saturday in September was ideal, but that circumstances sometimes dictated a different dale. The view was also expressed that the match should always be played in Wellington. The question was raised by Mr W. A. Craddock, who said this year's date, October 1, was much 100 late, and that players, by that time, were "browned olf.”