RUGBY PLANS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22538, 1 October 1936, Page 5

RUGBY PLANS

AUSTRALIA PREPARING RECONSTRUCTING A TEAM LESSONS FROM NEW ZEALAND [FHOM O' R OWN correspondent] SYDNEY, Sept. 24 The New S>'Uth Wales Rugby Union will bo recommended by the management committee to convene a conference 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 of the Referees' Association, and the leaders of the Australian team in New Zealand, should bo invited to attend the conference. The object of the management committee is to arrive at basic principles tor the guidance of coaches and others, | as it is considered that there should I be some 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. Tlicy expect that the advice of those associated wifch the Australian team that toured New Zealand will be of great value, especially in view of tlio visit of the Springboks next season. Forward Play There arc many close followers of the game in Sydney who believe that .a tightening up of forward play would be advantageous. Forward play iii 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 attacking movements, it is considered that the employment of persistent defensive tactics by a certain type of player has had an undesirable effect. It is contended that the presence of mere "stoppers" should not be encouraged, as these players hamjjer the work of backs by methods which cannot bo accepted as truly legitimate forward play. The Springboks are certain to field a strong pack here next year, and it might pay Australia, without sacrificing the ideal of attractive play, to tighten up the forwards and encourage a return to orthodoxy in some directions. Kecent Dominion Tour The recommendation for a conference of coaches was inspired by the comparative failure of the Australian team in New Zealand. It surprised many here to learn the opinion of one closely associated with the team that the forwards had not failed in important matches. Australians who had not seen the team on tour had jumped to the conclusion that the forwards had been beaten by strong packs in New Zealand, and that they would be no match for the Springboks. The opinion mentioned earlier was: —"It is all wrong to suggest that the Australian forwards have, been too loose. In the first test they wore just splendid. They beat New Zealand for the ball in the scrums, liile-outs and loose rucks. In all departments they were successful, but they were let down badly by the backs."