BRITISH RUGBY TEAM TO SETTLE DOWN TO TRAINING ROUTINE

Wanganui Chronicle, 5 May 1950, Page 6

BRITISH RUGBY TEAM TO SETTLE DOWN TO TRAINING ROUTINE

NELSON, Yesterday (PA).—With their arrival in Nelson this morning, the members of the British Isles Rugby team feel that the serious side of their New Zealand tour has begun. Training plans now prov.de for at least two hours’ training each day, with evening and perhaps morning runs, and a great deal of walking exercise.

Surgeon Captain Osborne said that although he realised the people of Nelson would want to see the players training, he hoped that after the first day or two the players would be left to work on their own.

Dr. Mullen, the team’s captain, agreed. He said that on the ship one or two moves had been worked out in theory, and the team was anxious to rehearse them in training. It did not want to reveal all its tactics too soon.

The team had been look’ing forward to reaching Nelson, said the manager. The players had known all along that Nelson was to be their training headquarters, and they had already developed an attachment to the- city. Members of the party had appreciated the early morning welcome given them when the Matai berthed, and they had not expected to be greeted by two bands and the Mayor of Nelson.

Replying to a question, Surgeon Captain Osborne said that he had been made solely responsible for the selection of the teams, although, of course, the captain and the vice-cap-tain wou|d give him advice. Asked what scrum formation would be employed in the opening match of the tour next Wednesday, Dr. Mullen said that the team was equally at home with both 3-4-1 and 3-2-3 formations. In deciding what style scrum would be packed, consideration would be given to tactics and the weather. Even after the team was selected it would still be possible to change the formation, and it was likely that a change would be made during the match.