Need To Concentrate On Style Of Rugby Rather Than On Play Of Individuals

Chronicle (Levin), 21 July 1949, Page 9

Need To Concentrate On Style Of Rugby Rather Than On Play Of Individuals

"Straithaird")

(By

What is wrong with Horowhenua rugby? Everywhere this question is being asked and answered by enthusiasts, and every theory is different. The sole selector for the district, Mr. D. J. Oliyer, summed un the position very well recently when he said that there was insufficient combination between backs and forwards. " It seems to an outside observer that the only time a Horowhenua forward should take part in the game is to assist in scrums, rucks and line-'outs. Both the visiting representative teams to play Horowhenua this season have had forwards and backs combining in passing rushes, much to the sorrow of the local te'am.

As Mr. Oliver said, this fau't is primarily the responsibili.y of the dub coaches. Almost every reader vVi'.l agree that college football is ^he best footbaT played in any union, and combination and teamwork is the keynote in these games. Ihe young players leave schiol and join clubs, where they forge„ all ;hey have learnt and play accord.ng to the instructions set down by their new coach. In two representative games so far this year we have seen the senior team play as two separate units. The forwards heel the bal! oack and then completely lcse interest un.il the next scrum or lineout. Should one of the backs Something To Practice. fumb'e or drop the ba'l, it takes che forwards far too long to pack round. It is not that they are too slow to get aown, but that they do not keep up with the game and, when rucks form, only some of the forwards are there to try and hold the opposing pack. Cover defence seems to local forwards to be a technical term used by rugby critics when referring to international footba'l, and not something to to be remember- j ed and practised in club games. I Tlrs is not the fault of the in-i dividual players, but the respon-i sibility of club coaches. By the ! time p.ayers reach representative standard it is too late for the senior coach to change the style of | play which has been practised everi since they lefc school. Three tor- j wards with ability in this direction are Roy Robinson, Alec Fletcher | and Geoff Sciascia. -Tt -is hoped that' we will see the latter two wearing representative colours in the near future.

Most other unions seem to be having a boom year with fiveeighths, but this is the one department in which Horowhenua is sad--y lacking. Fol owers of rugby in this district have seen two good five-eighths p'aying here recently in Small and Coiquhoim, and on both occasions it has been necessary to bring Bill Galloway in to first five-eighths to try and hold them. This has robbed the team of i s penetration, as Galloway is more at home in tne three-quarter line. "Strathaird" fee's confident that Ross Smith would have put up .a iinuch better showing in the Bebjbmgton Shield ma.ch if he had had Galloway to straighten up the [attack for him at centre. The fivei eighths representing the district so far this season have all been inclined .o run across the field rather than keeping the attack straight. Those who have seen Wallis playing in c'ub games know that this is not his usual practice. Actually he is noted for his straight running, bu: apparently owing to an injury to the ribs his play has suffered. As yet Doug Gwynn "has not had an opportunity to show his ability, rut he will have his chance in the trial game on Saturday. Of the two half-backs seen so far, neither have been impressive. Pat Ryan, the junior half, wou'd undoubtedly be the man for this position if he were available. This player is very youiig, however, and he is wise to keep out of senior football for a while yet.

L'oyd Robinson, who plays for Hui Mai. has shown his ability afte: a late start this season and as a clrensive p'ayer is out on his owa. However, he is not mentioned m r-.' .her of the trial teams. Contesting the position of half are Tritt and Lay. There is little or nothing between these two, although Tritt is more reliable in open play. It will be interesting to see how Gwynn and Wallis combine m the A team. Changes Likely. W .atever happens on Saturday, it n likely that there will be some chai.ges in the_ original team.. There is talent in every department of the team, with the possifcle exception of the five-eighths. Teamwork is what has been lackmg m previous sides and if steps are taken to erradicate this in our club football, "Strathaird" is confident that the standard of rugby in Horowhenua will improve out of all recognition. The talent Is here but it must be trained and used in • the correct manner before results ,.wiH be forthcoming. if an all-out ■campaign is conducted to improve the ; style of play rather than the prayers themselves, the Bebbington Shield will return to Horowhenua where it will become a permanent fixthre.