This was written last week, before Western Province’s victory over Free State – looks at the scoreboard, as they say) Apologies for my error in writing last week that the Under 16 W.P. provincial team played against Paarl Gym in preparation for their “Craven Week”; in fact they played Paarl Boys – probably just as well for them; we'll see what happens in the Inter Schools'. However, my mistake in no way blunts the point I was making. Province have every right to be proud and thrilled at ending up as the top side in this competition. It has been an absolute pleasure to watch the under 18 Craven week teams playing rugby in this past week; quite frankly, the modern rugby game has become something of a drag and I have become more than weary of watching virtually stationary ruck after stationary ruck, as the various teams try to consolidate in order to create a 'platform' from which to launch an attack (forgive all the rugby clichés). I still have to work out why a set scrum, a lineout or a kick-off are not suitable 'platforms' from which to launch attacks but a ruck is; so, we have to watch players running into contact over and over again in order to set up rucks, the first of which leads to many more, and only when 15 or more (a mild exaggeration) rucks have been achieved is it deemed reasonable to pass the ball to anyone other than a close-lining, bashing lump of brainless meat. The schoolboys have been an absolute delight for they are prepared to attack from any good ball, and that includes what most senior sides would label a 50/50 ball; furthermore, they do so successfully more often than not. It really is quite depressing to watch even Currie Cup teams playing the sort of limited rugby that they do. These Craven Week lads get the ball to the wing more often in one game than the average Currie Cup or even International team does in a season. In senior games, wings are selected now on their ability to catch a high ball and to kick. These Craven Week schoolboys manage to create far more space than most international sides -- one must ask why. Is it because the defence systems of the boys are inferior to those employed by provincial and national sites? I do not think so; I believe the reason is that the younger lads have a more positive attitude and their free spirits have not yet been made stale by repetitive drilling. I imagine that most coaches of Craven Week sides are schoolmasters; being such, they are thus more sensitive to the potential within each of their players, whereas coaches of senior national, provincial and even club sides tend to be insensitive, more negative and they drill players in restricted tactics so as not to make mistakes - they limit players rather than encourage them to be expansive, to create something from nothing or even from something! A sculptor takes a rock and through sensitive and inspired shaping, he can produce a piece of wondrous art; he has the ability to see the potential in the stone and has the talent to make it an actuality. That is what a good coach does with a rugby player. Obviously, the sculptor will, as far as possible, choose his piece of stone to suit his vision whereas a school teacher in the classroom must make do with what he is given as must the Under 14 D rugby coach at school. I know from experience how easy it is to coach talented lads at the top of the school -- one really does not have to be a genius to make them into a good unit; the fellows who have to work hard are those who coach the less talented junior boys. I've often wondered how well some national coaches would do with ordinary club sides. It is easier to coach the Stellenbosch 1st XV than it is to coach the False Bay 1st XV, no insult to False Bay! I stray. On several occasions the commentators have remarked upon the extraordinarily high standard of play that we have seen in this week, so far. Certainly, South Africa is brimming with rugby talent so there should be no excuse in future years for not to producing outstanding Springbok teams, although of course we cannot discount the damage that politicians do. Highlights for me, so far: the Natal/Free State game was a real humdinger and Western Province also produced some magic but there is still much to come. Interesting, too, to see the Academy lads playing with such skill and confidence -- what talent! One wonders how some of them did not make their provincial sides. Then, too, let us not forget those other gifted lads who were not fortunate enough to gain selection for Craven Week. Certainly, our cup is running over -- let us try not to knock it over! Do remember this was written last week - since then Province has beaten the Free State lads in the final in a somewhat disappointing match but one must remember that these lads had played a lot of rugby in a short space of time. Province stuck to their task with commendable guts while I think it fair to say that their opponents failed to make full use of their opportunities