SPRINGBOKS HAVE N.Z. FAULT OF 12 YEARS AGO

Chronicle (Levin), 27 June 1949, Page 5

SPRINGBOKS HAVE N.Z. FAULT OF 12 YEARS AGO

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Received Mnndiv, 9.25 a.m. JOHANNESBURG, June 26. Twelve years aeo after the Snringboks' New Zeaiand tour had conciuded, the famous half-back, D. H. Craven, exnressed the- vtew that back plav in New Zealand had slumned, because the forwards concentrated too muo'h on hottling the backs un by nuick breaking from the scrmns. His words could well be anplied to South African rugbv todav. and mav ao.coimt for the overkicking of the inside backs. Tn theb match°s to date. the All Blacks have concentrated on swinging the bah about. The siow heehne of the ball had proveu one problem in getting tne backs unuer wa'y. but an even rrea.ter probiem has been coping with the activities of the South African ftank forwards. In the lineouts, uAess the ball is first put on the ground. they advance auicklv on the opposing inside backs. and from the rucks and scrums thev move enuafiv as fast.. South African teams ofiset these tactics by the inside: backs standing deep, hut whh their shallow formation the inside New Zealdnd backs are constantly uhder.ptessure unless assured' of a qmck heel and no delay in sending the ball out. On Sa.turday, Allen never 'ap-r peared happv at first five-eighths; due to the constant menace qf the onnosing flank forwards. ' , Rush after rush never got nast him duq to mishandling and this was large^ ly responsibte for the nqor standard of the AU Bla cks' foothall. E]r vidge actually handled the. ball onlv onc.e with room to move^J The All Blacks pvaduced thefr best rugby on the defensive. - r: ■ Tbe feam for Wedhesday's mafeh a eainst Orange Free State ?qoiir fains a number of experime^ts. Delamore is centre, Thornton istqn the side of the serum, and is in the back ro#. • ' ** i The toam iw Rcott Mpnfps, Dela1 mnre, Henderson, K>arr>ev (e.Jp-*' |t.ain). Riack. Conrad. Cbristibh, 'Gatley, Simnson. Thornton, "Haryqy, 'Willocks, Johnstone and McHugh.