The CALL of the OPEN : GOSSIP on POPULAR SPORT A LESSON FROM AFRICA

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 381, 15 June 1928, Page 10

The CALL of the OPEN : GOSSIP on POPULAR SPORT

A LESSON FROM AFRICA

THE most disoussed feature of tlie All Blacks’ play so far has been their drastic experiments with the team formation. The principles of the New Zealand game are so well known, and their effectiveness so well proved over a period of many years, that the changes decided on in recent matches have left an uneasy feeling in the minds of expert followers of the game in New Zealand. Admittedly, those on the spot are in the best position to judge. Furthermore, in the absence of reliable first hand information as to the position, the only course open is to suspend judgment. At the same time, it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that it is the exponent and not the system which is being found wanting. Years ago, that great Aucklander, the late Dave Gallaher made his historic prophesy that New Zealand’s greatest test in international football would be on the playing fields of Africa. It is only now being realised how well based was that opinion, founded on the experiences of the All Black captain during the Boer War, and how far New Zealand football has_ slipped from the scientific coaching methods of his day. To-day, there is too much encouragement given to the “shiner,” and as a result a type of loose, roving forward has arisen, who does not relish the hard scrummaging at which the Springboks excel. The individual brilliance of Cooke, Parker and Mill made up for scrum losses in England in 1924. but already the question is being asked: “Was the wrong type of forward sent to Africa?” Old-timers will see in the South African set-backs a need for a return to the intensive coaching methods of their day when a forward was a specialist in his position. Tiddleywinking experiments with scrum formations are no remedy. Those who remember the Auckland team of 1926, compared with that ot' last year, when Mr. V. R. Meredith took charge, vcill appreciate what coaching can do to any fifteen of Rugby players. Many people must now regret that 'here is not a Meredith or a McKenzie at the head of the present All Black team. It is to he hoped that the lesson will not be lost on the New Zealand Rugby Union when future tours are under consideration.

Pugnacious Edwards

CYRIL BROWNLIE’S MARK ECHOES OF TWICKENHAM AFFAIR The Finlayson incident in the match between the All Blacks and the Transvaal last Saturday recalled the famous occasion when Cyril Brownlie was ordered off at Twickenham. In Finlayson’s case the other party was the Transvaal forward who has been aptly named “Headlock” Geere. With regard to Brownlie’s case, Reader, of Hikurangi, writes:— “Can you give vne the name of the other player involved when Cyril Itrownlic was ordered offf 'What, club did he play for in England?'* The English Rugby Union conducted an inquiry, in committee, into the Brownlie case, and two players were called before it One of these was definitely charged with creating trouble in the match at Twickenham, and after the inquiry it was made public that this player would never again be invited to play for his country. No public announcement of his identity was made, but there is no doubt whatever that the player concerned was R. Edwards, who played for the Newport Club, in Wales. Though he played for a Welsh club, Edwards had a birth qualification for England, and represented that country from 1921 until 1925.

He has never since played for Engand, which alone is sufficiently significant.