OUR man in Wales in the late sixties and early seventies was one
Wilson ''Harry'' Lauder. He lived there, played his club rugby in the
black shirt of Neath, but was only too happy to switch to Scotland's
blue, which he did on 18 occasions.
Lauder, a tall, rangy flanker or No.8, was no pseudo-Scot. He was born
in Thornton, Fife, moving to the Principality when he was 14 because his
father changed jobs. And he is still resident in the land of the
valleys, working in a power station just outside Cardiff and living near
Pencoed.
Who better, I thought, to assess Scotland's opponents this afternoon?
''I think we can beat them if the Scots use the right tactics,'' he
responded tactically. ''This is not a vintage Welsh team -- they have
picked three blind-side wing forwards and a kicking fly-half.
''Obviously, they are going to attempt to keep the game tight, to try
to drive up the middle. It is in Scotland's interests to move it wide as
often as possible.''
I had to gently remind Lauder that there are those who would say this
was not the greatest Scottish XV. ''Yes, I was very disappointed in the
manner that they threw in the towel against the All Blacks, but I am
expecting a much more spirited performance this time.
''It is going to come down to who is the hungrier side for victory.
The game is all about winning nowadays, how you do it does not seem to
matter. It's a pity, really, but that is a fact.''
The question which puzzles many Scots rugby followers just had to be
put -- why are Wales struggling at international level when we can see
the high standard of their club game on Rugby Special every week?
''My conclusion is quite simple -- there is far too much politics in
the game here. At one time the team was full of Neath players because
that is where the coach came from. Now it seems to be Llanelli's turn.
You see mostly the top four clubs in Wales, beneath them there is not
too much.''
There was something else I wanted to ask him: Wilson Lauder was one of
the last goal-kicking forwards, once kicking 50 points in five games on
an Australian tour. Where have all the forward kickers gone?
''The game has become more specialised, forwards and backs are split
up in training. Still, goal-kicking can be a very useful asset to
possess.''
I put the same point to Robin Charters, former international centre
and ex-SRU President, and he came up with a surprising reply. ''It would
be a good thing if young boys were to play a bit of football before
turning to rugby, because that would give them some ball control
skills.''
A final word from Lauder. He hopes to be at the game -- was still
looking for a ticket -- ''and if I am you will hear me shouting for
Scotland.''
It has not, let us be honest, been the ideal preparation for the first
international in the Five Nations' Championship. You could have been
trampled to death by the television crews anxious to film the Craig
Chalmers saga.
Team manager Duncan Paterson has retained his sense of humour. When
the team bus drew up to the airport, he enquired: ''Well, Craig, will
you be walking off first or just floating away?''
Our mood was also lightened by the pilot. ''Our flight time to Cardiff
this evening will be 50 minutes. Our estimated time of arrival will be
5.30pm local time. However, there is no need to change your watches as
the time in Wales is the same as in Scotland.''
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