BRITISH TACTICS ARE CRITICISED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19133, 28 July 1930, Page 14

BRITISH TACTICS ARE CRITICISED.

MR M’KENZIE REFERS TO CASES OF “ SHEPHERDING.”

Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, July 27. Criticism of the tactics adopted by the British Rugby team was made at a dinner to the test teams last night by Mr E. M’Kenzie, manager of the New Zealand team and chairman ' of the New Zealand Selection Committee.

Mr M’Kenzie sj present tour Mr j the British team,

id that.early in the . Baxter, manager of had criticised the New Zealand style of Rugby, and in particular the wing forward, who had been described as the wolf the game. “ We appreciate this criticism,” said Mr M’Kenzie, “ but I have seen the majority of the British team’s games, and I think I might reply by criticising certain aspects of the visitors’ play. There have been points in the British play to which strong exception can be taken. I have noticed frequently cases of obstruction and of what we in New Zealand know as shepherding. I do not know whether they have been intentional or not; I certainly hope they have not. It is an offence against the rules of the game, and I must say that some of the instances of obstruction appeared to have been deliberately studied. Shepherding the player with the ball so that he cannot be tackled has also been common, and frequently members of opposing teams have been held by their jerseys after they have got rid of the ball.” Mr M’Kenzie said he would not pretend that New Zealand players were perfect. “ They may also on occasions be guilty of lapses in this respect; but I will say that the British team is fine enough a side to win matches without resorting to obstruction and similar tacticss, which may or may not be intentional,” he concluded. After the dinner, Messrs Baxter and Prentice declined to reply to Mr M’Kenzie's statements. Several prominent officials, including Mr S. S. Dean (chairman of the Management Committee of the New Zealand Union), Mr J. Arneil (president of the Auckland Union) and Mr 11. Frost (chairman of the Auckland Management Committee), expressed regret at Mr M’Kenzie's statements.