FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 21 March 1932, Page 3

FOOTBALL

SPRINGBOKS’ TACTICS

SCRUM FORMATION

LONDON, Jan. 28

Captain H. B. T Wakelam, writing in the “Morning Post,” comments on the scrum formation adopted, by the , South African Rugby team. ■ As the Springboks have been so generally victorious on the field (lie remarks), it is perhaps, difficult to say that they can have learnt much over here, but they have certainly solved the problem of adapting themselves to all kinds of weather, and to grounds which must be vastly different from their own .“cast-iron” ones. As to what they have taught us, that is quite a different proposition. They have been accused of keeping the ball close, of stopping combined outside play, and of over-kicking, and thus of tending to ruin the game to the spectator as an entertainment. Some such criticism may be considered just in certain quarters, but to the real enthusiastic and close observer they have thoroughly drummed in two great lessons, team work and captaincy, and if only they have succeeded in doing' so that those lessons are firmly absorbed and acted upon, their long trip is surely justified.' Their tactics ipay have followed the idea of the “Russian steam-roller” of the early days of the war, but they were more fortunate in that they also had the powder and shot to carry them through. They fully realised their own _ powers and finding that the typical home scrum was inclined to “get up” before they had “heeled” they worked., out their strategy to make full use of such an error.

3—4—l FORMATION

They’ have found that the 3—4—l formation gives the best shove, and their explanation of it is very interesting. They say that the two outside men of the second row who, by reason of their positions, are supporting the “one” and “three**' of the front row on the outside, are. considerably stiffening to the hooker at the moment he most needs it.

They maintain that this suppor is more valuable than, the 3—2—3 back flankers shove, which ony comes on to the “2” men,, and is inclined to put too much strain on to the arms of the hooker by reason of the “2” tending to force their way through the two front row gaps.

A QUICKER BREAK

Besides this, they argue that a heel is definitely quicker, if the solitary “1” is fully alert and wary, and also a quicker break is possible. Perhaps this last idea is rather against our methods. The general trend of forward play since the Voyce-Wakefield-Blakiston days has been for the scrum to increase -its spoiling at the-expense of its shove, and bv getting up quickly on to tlie opposing halves and threequarters, to ruin- a movement before it has started, and to act definitely against real combine and spectacular outside play. If by adopting the 3—4—l, further encouragement is given to these marauders, is is to be ho cd that th® formation will not come in, but if it can he used solely as forming a more compact eight, and giving a smarter heel, its worth must be made instantly apparent. It would be interesting to see if some adjustment of rule could be devised which would allow the “dose,” but forbid the “open” advantage.