When Joe Karam went to rugby league in early 1976 it left a huge hole in the AB's for the next 2-3 years finding an adequate replacement fullback. They could have done with him in South Africa 1976. Best AB fullback of the 1970's.
Another example of just how valuable Joe Karam was as a player. Scored all the points in difficult conditions then kicked 4 out of 4 in the water polo test match against Scotland the following year in his last test. NZ Rugby Union should have done more to keep him.
Have a rugby history question. Around what year did the strategy and tactics of Rugby Union change from the ones used in this game , into the strategy and tactics that are used in the modern game, 2022? I am under the impression of earley 1990, but before Rugby Union went professional. However, I do not know
Some odd things in this match. Karam has a penalty kick. He taps it to himself and immediately kicks for touch. Ireland to throw in. Why didn't he just kick it out?
Yep very true. Union took ideas from league because some ex-RL players coached RU squads. The defensive lines that Union use today came from League and it made it difficult to score tries and teams depended on fly-halves to score a lot of points for them in matches. In the late 70s, Argentina depended on Hugo Porta to score most of the points for them but they had trouble scoring tries because they had a weak attack. They lost to the Italians in 1978 because they depended on Porta to score points.
Back in those days, no union player are not allowed to have any contact with a RL official, recruit or club. If any threat of signing with a RL will kick them out of the code for a lifetime. League wasn't fully professional back in those days until RU become professional in 1995. I believe the rule changes were done to reduce the injuries and dirty play of teams like France. The French had a reputation during the amateur era because of their dirty tactics towards their opponents. The infamous Battle of Nantes match is one example.
Thought Sid Going hogged the ball ,but every time he sent the ball out ,the backs couldnt do anthing and were out classed by brilliant Irish defence so NZ did what it always knew it could do is play its forward power.
How dull and predictable the modern game has become, bang crash ruck, bang crash ruck, isn't it obvious a much looser style of play creates more chances?
