Step forward the backs

By CHRIS RATTUE

Maybe it goes back, way back, to Ross Brown. When you think of Taranaki, you think of head-down, bum-up forwards ploughing their way around the rugby fields of New Zealand, with the backs in dutiful attendance.

The result: respectable results, without overdoses of the glory the Kieran Crowley-coached Taranaki will seek in their Ranfurly Shield challenge at Jade Stadium tomorrow night.

Forward might, backs only might. That's Taranaki's lot, even though the team punch above their weight.

Ironically, Brown was a back, a superb one, regarded among the finest All Blacks of the 1950s and early 60s.

Despite his running ability, he became famous for up-and-unders and drop goals.

Late in his career, when he believed Taranaki lacked backline speed, he evolved a new plan.

"It was obvious we would be struggling to score tries. So I asked the guys if they were happy for me to kick dropped goals," he said in Bob Howitt's book Rugby Greats.

Drop goals he kicked, 13 in nine Ranfurly Shield matches when Taranaki scored 16 tries.

Brown can hardly be held responsible for a legacy Taranaki have found hard to shake, but their most recent All Black back is Crowley, the much-admired and resolute rather than dazzling fullback, whose 19-test career ended in 1991.

During the professional era, Taranaki's three All Blacks have been frontrowers Mark Allen, Gordon Slater and Andrew Hore.

Taranaki have helped develop two other recent All Blacks, Canterbury's Greg Feek and Mark Robinson.

Feek is another frontrower, and Robinson is a solid rather than spectacular centre.

Outstanding backs - particularly the great halfback Dave Loveridge - used to pop up in Taranaki colours, but professional times have magnified their forward-oriented image.

Six of their eight Hurricanes this year were forwards. The squad also included national colt wing Neil Brew, a Taranaki product, who saw greener pastures in Otago.

Even Taranaki's most outstanding back prospect, wing Shayne Austin, was overlooked by the Hurricanes, although he was drafted by the Chiefs. Many exciting backs today are of Pacific Island origin, so Taranaki could be partly disadvantaged by demographics.

They have worked hard to develop backs, although insiders acknowledge their respected club competition is built on rugged forward encounters.

Insular New Plymouth relies heavily on its own, and loses some talent, but even then its best-known exports are forwards such as Deacon Manu - and, in earlier times, a certain John Mitchell.

The mystery of the Taranaki back division remains just that.

Crowley, an All Black selector, believes Taranaki backs may have been undervalued, especially by themselves.

"For years, reports on Taranaki games said their forwards were the cornerstone, and to be fair they often were.

"But our backs started to believe in that. It put a bit of a framework around them, and we didn't believe in ourselves enough.

"The backs never get the credit for what they do. Last week [against Northland] we had an outstanding first 40 and the backs were heavily involved.

"We probably haven't got the brilliance of some unions, but a couple of guys are putting their hands up.

"We've got a much more complete team than a couple of years ago. I'd like to think we can adapt to whatever conditions."

The strength of Taranaki's backline attack may determine the success or failure of tomorrow night's shield tilt in Christchurch.

Crowley, who never got close to lifting the shield in half a dozen challenges, says: "We've come up with a few things we want to try.

"You've got to attack - it's no good going down there trying to be conservative."