RUGBY FORWARDS

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 497, 20 July 1932, Page 7

RUGBY FORWARDS

A SPRINGBOK'S ADVICE

SOUTH AFRICAN VIEWPOINT

SCRUM FORMATION DISCUSSED

Forward play has developed almost to a line art in the modern Rugby game. .It is not merely a case of eight burly men shoving in the scrums. Each must be possessed of qualities which in the old days were considered the prerogative of the backs (writes M. M. ‘Boy” Louw, noted Springbok forward, in an article for The Outspaan,” which is all the more interesting to New Zealand Rugby enthusiasts since it is written from a South African standpoint). Forwards must be able to handle well and pass; they must be able to dribble;- and in the scrums, push their full weight where and when it is most needed. Not a few yards away from the ball, as so often is the case. A good forward need not necessarily bo very heavy; but he must lie compactly built, and he must keep his eye on the ball and be up with the play from the beginning to the end. Therefore he must be lit. It is a physical impossibility for any forward to do himself justice unless ho is absolutely lit and sound in wind and limb, lie should be almost as fresh at the end of the game as at the beginning. One unlit forward can spoil a good pack, because the shove must lie simultaneous with every man pushing his full weight. If tills is not done correctly, you get an uneven shove, and, consequently, a disorderly scrum. The 34—1 Scrum In packing there are various methods, but the method that interests us most is the 34 —1 formation. Hero I wish to remove a misunderstanding, as the impression seems to be that we introduced this method for the first time in Britain during our recent tour. This is not so, of course. We employed it against the All Blacks in 1928.

This way of packing we have found to be the most successful, at home as well as abroad. The advantages are that it makes for quicker heeling, faster breaking, greater protection from the scrum-half. Also it greatly relieves the strain on the second rank and allows the outside forwards to participate sooner in attack and in defence.

The British formation of 3—2—3 is a, very good one, but it throws too much responsibility on the “lock” forwards, and the flank forwards are too far away from their opponents.

The 2—3—2 or All Blacks’ formation is not a popular one, because the “loose” head is sacrificed and possession of the ball is definitely given to their opponents. Quick breaking is possible, but seven exceptional forwards are required to stand up against eight. And now as to the perfect pack: In the front row evenness of build and low packing are essential. The two front-rank forwards should be able to support the weight of the hooker when he tries to get the ball out. Here 1 wisli to say that I consider hooking with both feet impracticable. The weight of the two “lock” forwards is minimised when the “hooker” is off hit! feet. h,

AVe tried this in the Irish international, but were so soundly beaten for possession'that a change was made in the second half. AVe reverted to our original method, with the result that we were able to give our backs the ball more often. It is advisable that the two strongest and biggest forwards till the “lock” positions—that is, the two middle men in the second row—for not only do they keep the scrum together, but transmit the weight from behind and the sides in the desired direction. Flank and Back-Row Forwards

The duties of the flank forwards in the second row are to shove more or less in the direction of the hooker (that is, inwards) and keep doing so when their side gets the ball, so as to protect their scrum-half. Should (ho other side get the ball they should then break quickly and prevent, the opposing half-backs from getting away.

Many and varied are the duties of the back-rank forward. He may keep (he ball when he thinks his opponents aro breaking too quickly, thus not playing the opposing half backs offside, but shoving right through and so starting a dribbling rush. Also he must be prepared to fall on the ball when the opponents are wheeling; take the place of the scrum half when he is out of position; and, lastly, but not the least important, covejr his back line.

For a light pack 1 think the 3—2—l formation the most practical and ser viceable.

Here is a hint that may prove useful to club packs: AVhen you find your opponents are wheeling, cease shoving at once, break up, and cover. By continuing (o shove you are only assisting your opponents in their object.

Team-Work Essential

In forward play, more so than in any other department of the game, team-work is absolutely necessary. In shoving, for instance, it is not a bit of good exerting your strength and weight at the wrong time. One sees so much time wasted unnecessarily, two or three scrums being formed before the ball is placed inside. A tight scrum is like a tug-of-war. You must keep up a steady pressure and shove the extra bit simultaneously when the word is given. From the majority of line-outs scrums are formed; so it is best for the three front-rank forwards to keep together, with the .two lock forwards nearest, and (lie back rank forward on Hie (-eld side of play. Much depends upon the height of the forwards in a line-out, but from the above it will be seen that scrums can he formed very easily ami quickly with each forward doing what is expected of him without much effort.

Too much cannot he said about team work. Every movement performed by an individual should ho supported by the others, because by so doing your opponents are mostly caught unawares and a score is inevitable. The team spirit should be as evident in attack as in defence. Forwards must remember that when the hacks are participating in a movement they are merely there in support. That is, (hey must be ready to carry it on if (hero is a likelihood of ils breaking down. Study Your Own Players Every player has his strong and weak points. Opportunities should be made for them to put their strong

points into practice. In club sides these points should he known to every player in the team. In the recent tour of Great Britain, if certain players could have got possession of tho ball in certain types of weather, great things may have resulted. More often than not the opportunity was denied them. It. is as necessary to study your own players as those of the opposing side. If you have one (or more than one) strong player in the pack, try to make opportunities for him to display his abilities to the best advantage. Many players forget that there are 15 men in a side, and so they try to barge through alone; whereas a pass might mean getting through more easily. There is always the chance that a pass may be dropped, of course; but it is worth taking that risk for the sake of the team.