RUGBY FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23353, 19 November 1937, Page 13

RUGBY FOOTBALL

I’O THE EDITOB

Sir,—-I do not agree with many of the statements that are being made with regard to the third test against the Springboks at Auckland. One person speaking at a Rugby Union meeting said, “Why criticise our backs/ The Springboks won 90 per cent, of the scrums.” They did not. I happen to have the figures. The Springboks won 46 scrums and New Zealand won

20 scrums, all of which were won by Dalton after he replaced Lambourne as hooker. Now, why was Dalton not hooker for the whole three tests? The next point is that though New Zealand won 26 scrums the ball went right out to Caughey only once. Was that good combination? People wonder why New Zealand won the first test, but not the second and third. Harris played for South Africa in the second and third tests but not in the first. We needed fast inside backs to oppose him. We could not afford to drop Trevathan. He is far too good a man. But he should be full-back. Of his successful kicks in all three tests only one was a drop-kick, and we could have won the first test without it. The place kicks he could have put over if he had been full-back. Mitchell was practically a passenger for the whole of the third test. Then why was he not sent out to Sullivan’s wing instead of Caughey’s wing, where he had to oppose Williams, while Sullivan had practically nothing to do? Sullivan as centre might have scored. Another point is why were the trial (selection) matches not played according to international rules? Our men were at a disadvantage. They were not kicking the right way, due to having had no experience. Finally, these improvements having been made, why not send a team to Australia next year? It would do well. I would suggest a team composed of the same forwards as played against the Springboks, with Dalton as hooker, a faster half-back than Simon, Grossman and Caughey as five-eighths, Phillips, Sullivan and Mitchell (if fully recovered) in the three-quarters line, and Trevathan as full-back. What fault is there with a team such as this? —I am. etc.. Interested.

[Various faults might be found with such a team as “ Interested ” selects, but this is not the time to discuss the selection of a problematical New Zealand team for next winter. —Ed., O.D.T.]