PACKING RUGBY SCRUM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20324, 3 August 1929, Page 17

PACKING RUGBY SCRUM.

ALL BLACKS AND OTHERS.

DIFFERENCE IN METHODS

SUPPORT FOR MARK NICHOLLS

" When the all-conquering New Zealand team of 1924 was with us there wero several members of that redoubtable combination for whom we developed a sincere regard, if not affection," writes C. W. Packtord in an English paper. The three whose friendship 1 made, and shall always value, wero Cyril and Maurico Rrownlie and Mark Nicholls. Perhaps Mark was my favourite. At any rate, I discussed Rugger matters with him far more than I did with tho others, and his views on the game, of which he was so distinguished an exponent, were always interesting. " The chief matter ot debate between us was generally as to difference in tho methods of tho All Blacks' pack and that of any of the Homo unions. Successful as they wero—they won every game they played hero and in France— T contended that a scrum packing 2-3-2, as they did, could not possibly be as effective in gaining possession of tho ball as an English scrum packing 3-2-3. I am not at all sure that Mark altogether agreed with me in this at the time but since then ho has toured South Africa, and has arrived at the same conclusion.

" I have just received from him an autographed copy of a book recently written by him—a leal Rugger classic—entitled. 'With the All Blacks in Springbokland.' in which ho discusses manv of tho points wo debated five years ago. And tho must, interesting to me are the views ho now takes as regards scrum formation. Change in Scrum. " ' The fact that we were so decisively beaten for the hall in South Africa, and also in Great Britain in 1924.' he says, ' should result in the changing of our scrum formation in some respects. J know that our scrum, properly packed, and tho right men putting all their weight and pushing power in, can hold eight forwards. But,' he significantly adds, "what of the hookers?'

" This is tho whole point, and the one that. I particularly stressed when talking to the real genius of the team. ' Three up' in the front row will always defeat ' two ui>' in the main objective of the scrum, if the men know their job. A Tucker-Snarks-Stanbury combination will defeat for possession tho two finest forwards any of the Dominions can produce at least nine times in . ten.

" Nicholls now recognises this. 'ln our 1924 tour he should have realised tho fact.' he says. • The opposing hookers were trained men, who had made a study of the art, and. in consequence of this, we only obtained possession to the extent of 33i P er cent. The same thing applies to our visits to New South Wales in J922. and to South Africa in 1926 ' " But what Mark does not tell us is what New Zealand will do if they revert to the accepted and most genuinely useful scrum formation of 3 2-3. What will possibly happen is that their ' wing' forward, who, as was the case with Parker in 1924. never enters the scrum at all, will be required to plav the game as exploited by Tom Voyce. Charles Pillman, and, last season, by ' Joe' Periton. " That this would bo a more effective method is beyond question, for, while few realise tho fact. Tom Voyce was of as much value to the pack in shoving as was Cove-Smith in tho second row and Sam Tucker in the middle of tho front row. For this reason: The methods of the great Gloucester player were perfectly and admirably sound. If our men were shoving the others, and the ball was coming out on our side. Tom remained in the pack. The Greatest Wing-forward.

" If. however, the opposition were heeling the ball in their direction, he was on the alert, and broke away as quickly as possible to intercept the pass from their scrum-half; or, as was generally the case with him, to ' overwhelm' the wretched fellow'before he could dispose of the ball. These were the methods that made my old friend the greatest wing forward the game has ever produced. " Even if we can take the All Blacks' play in 1924 as typically representative of the standard achieved in that wonderful Hugger centre—and if was a magnificent standard—there can be little doubt that the possession in their ranks of a wing forward with the enterprise and intelligence of Voyce would increase the effectiveness of a combination whose brilliance will nevei lie forgotten.

" Whether the conclusions advanced by Mark Niehnlls will eventually be accepted or not is a matter for the future. Personally, I think they will, for Nicholls is a man whose opinions are highly valued among his own people. Mark is not only a very charming personality, but. a player who will go down in Rugby history as one of the greatest, players of all time. I shall, unfortunately, possibly never see him again, but I shall never forget him, and I hope he will eventually read this rather meagre tribute."