The Up And Under: Sound Tactics Or Intimidation?

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31110, 13 July 1966, Page 15

The Up And Under: Sound Tactics Or Intimidation?

'THE up-and-under has become such an integral part of Rugby played by New Zealand teams—provincial and international—when they meet touring sides that it might be considered heretical to question its continual use. The up-and-under as a means of catching a player in possession and then rucking the ball swiftly is sound enough. It can provide for exciting Rugby and once the ball is in the air the crowd immediately becomes embroiled, for it knows that there will be some action as the forwards hurtle towards

the player waiting for the ball. In that sense the up-and-under is acceptable, but sometimes there is the feeling that the kick is not being used as a means of starting play but rather as a form of intimidation. This form of attack was particularly popular in 1956 and was successful. It died out in recent years but suddenly it has reappeared over the last two years. Last year the Springbok fullback, L. G. Wilson, confessed that he was almost becoming punch drunk after receiving the ball and New Zealand forwards at the

same time. The Lions fullback, D. Rutherford, has also been shaken in the same way. The proponents of the use of this type of kick can point out that It is not illegal. The full-back, or whoever is waiting to catch the ball is just unlucky if the kick is placed so perfectly that the forwards arrive at the same time. Of course they are right but it is the feeling around the ground when the ball is kicked high in the air that is worrying. In the Universities match there was some exciting back play which was

cheered by the spectators but it was only when the Universities changed their tactics towards the end of the game and used the lobbed kick that the spectators really became involved. The dull roar which accompanied the charging forwards was almost frightening in its emotional intensity. There were similar situations at Invercargill, Dunedin, Timaru and Wellington, only more of them. This is the reaction that Is worrying not the use of the up-and under by a team. This all lies in with another feature of the Lions tour that has been rather . disappointing, the reaction of the spectators to line or tactical kicking. It has been most noticeable that a 20-yard line-kick receives spontaneous applause whereas a darting, side-stepping run by a back is hardly acknowledged. Injudicious line kicking when there Is a chance to pass the ball hardly receives a murmur of criticism. Perhaps Rugby in New Zealand with its welldrilled, conditioned teams has become so sophisticated that the original basis of Rugby—that the ball was picked up and run with—is being overlooked.