I was taught from day one when flying large airliners that the rudder was for crosswinds and engine failures that's it, even in upset attitude training I was told to avoid using the rudder and this was 20yrs ago.
Also having been inside section 48 of the 747 and inside the fin I can assure you all it's not attached as securely as some people here seem to think. So don't go thinking it's some deficiency of Airbus, Boeing recommended exactly the same thing regarding rapid rudder reversals.
Photos: Boeing 747-206BM(SUD) Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net
There are no spars running through into the fuselage it's simply bolted on top.