By A.C. Wallace

The N.S.W.R.U. selectors have been required to cover a lot of ground to pave the way for the eventual selection of an Australian R.U. team to tour New Zealand in August.

The players available for selection can roughly be grouped into three classes:

1) The players who have been playing in Sydney more or less regularly during the war and whose type and standard of play are fairly well known.

2) Players who have been away from Sydney on service and who have played only spasmodically.

3) The young players who have only just come from school or into first grade football.

The current form of the first class of player is what interests the selectors, and this can be seen from the club matches. And as the capabilities of these players are well known, they have to some extent been passed over in trial teams to enable the selectors to learn as much as possible of the real capacity of the players in classes 2 and 3.

In selecting the side to play New Zealand, the selectors must be as sure as possible that the selected players can pass all tests. Brilliance on a side that is winning easily may be misleading, as that player when up against more doughty opponents may not have the real international temperament or ability.

The first problem, then, for the selectors is to have as much knowledge of the club players as possible; secondly, they have to decide which of those players are potential high class internationals; thirdly they must by trial get as much evidence as possible that each player will stand up to all that international football demands, and, fourthly, to see as far as possible that the team is taught the type of game that is conducive to bringing out the best points of selected players.

We know that the standards of New Zealand football must be high, for their army side in Britain, the Kiwis, suffered only two defeats in over 20 matches. Also, knowing New Zealand resources, we must be prepared to meet something better than the Kiwis.

Our first problem, then, is New Zealand.

The philosophy that produces great sides is the philosophy that inspires its players to a determination to win or go down with colours flying.

To win, a side must aim at scoring tries and stopping the other side scoring tries. Scoring by kicking, unfortunately plays far too big a part in our game. But this is the result of referees awarding penalty kicks out of all proportion to the needs of discipline or control of the game. One would not be alone in expressing the opinion that in Sydney, games are spoiled and tactics not allowed to develop by an excessive and apparently unnecessary use of the whistle. In any case, kicking as a scoring medium is an element that cannot be provided for in tactics. The opportunity to score be kicking is usually dependent on the general run of play, and each side generally has a fairly reliable kicked.

Accordingly, we must fall back on the scoring of tries and the prevention of the opponents scoring as the basis on which the game must be approached.

What sort of forwards and backs, then, do we select to play New Zealand.

We know that New Zealand will produce a wiry pack of forwards averaging at least 14 stone (89kg); and we know that of all countries New Zealand forwards give pre-eminently vale for their weight. New Zealand forwards, too, have the great attribute of keeping going all the game. They do not have lapses, a habit unfortunately that does as a rule characterise the Australian player.

The Australian player, is inclined particularly after success to rest on his laurels, instead of driving home his advantage. This has lost Australian sides many a game.

We must therefore produce a pack which in weight and determination can and will hold the New Zealand pack. In there is a weakness in our formation in rucks and line-outs, the New Zealand forwards will pour through and start their devastating forward passing movements. We want therefore, in addition, forwards who will cooperate with one another to present a solid and united pack. We want forwards who will tackle with zest, and by intelligent anticipation prevent any New Zealand forward movement developing – nip it in the bud. We want forwards who will check a New Zealand forward rush by going down on or gathering the ball. And, above all, we want a pack that will get possession of the ball. One man in a pack who thoughtlessly kicks a ball through a scrum or ruck nullifies the work of his seven comrades and gives possession to the other side. We want possession of the ball by forcing the opposing pack off it – not by giving ground. It is hard to overrate the beneficial effect of gaining possession by forcing the opposing pack back. It is correspondently difficult to enumerate the difficulties that follow when you pack is being continuously forced back. We want fiery forwards who keep together and tirelessly keep up with the play.

As a scoring factor, forwards can be important. But it must be emphasised that forwards cannot beneficially attempt to score unless they have first carried out the primary forward duties I have described above. When a forward passing movement develops, the forward with the ball must be given a pass that will be taken.

We are not lacking in forwards who can play well in the loose, but it is imperative that we see that the opportunity to use their ability is not lost by failure to get control and dominate the opposing pack first.

As with the forwards, even more is essential that the backs execute their passing movements without error.

The backs we want must first be able to give a good pass and take a bad one. Watching the ball as you take it and watching carefully where you are passing it is essential to sound execution of movements. Ill-directed or dropped passes not only cause a breakdown in attacking movements and possibly lose a score, but they allow a clever opportunist to snap the ball up and turn defence into attack – perhaps one of the most demoralising checks a team can experience.

And, be sure, New Zealand will not e lacking in clever opportunists.

Primarily, the selectors are looking for halves and three quarters who have the speed, the ability to take, handle and pass the ball quickly when running at top. They must be capable of discipline, as they must always be certain they are in the proper position to attack or defend.

They must have the will and the ability to tackle as well as the robustness to stand up to the speed and toughness of big football.

It is hoped that we can get together a set of backs who are capable of attending to all opponents as it may be decided to dispense to a large extent with cover defence towards the wings by the majority of forwards.

Big forwards must be saved unnecessary  running.

Generally, we want players with dash – alert to every movement of the game – players who are always there and who have been prepared to capitalise on every opportunity with perfect execution.

In the trial matches to date, we have played some men in positions where they are not playing with their clubs. Good players are not upset as a rule by a change of position; in fact, the additional experience improves their general play.

The selectors have a standard in mind which is considered necessary if a first-class international side it to be got together. And to find players of the standard required experiments will be restored to – experiments which, if they are not successful, do not prejudice the player concerned as to his prospects in his normal position.

The fullback, above all things, must be reliable. He must get his man, he must save with the ball at his opponents feet, he must handle faultlessly and kick safely with both feel. He must always be in position as the last line of defence.

The selectors are rather concerned at the universal tendencies of our fullbacks to make additional three quarters. This movement is seldom justified. And the better the football, the less will it be justified. If the movement does does not culminate in a score, the fullback is out of position. And the better the player, the more he is on the look-out to find his opponent out of position.

The better the class of football, the more strategy develops into tactics to get an opposing player out of position and capitalise that situation.

It is, of course, the unpardonable sin for a fullback to be caught in possession or give a bad pass when attempting to initiate or join in an attacking movement.

This Editor has chosen not to include the results from the Wallabies 1946 Tour of New Zealand – Bring on the Bledisloe!