RULES OF RUGBY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17596, 8 October 1920, Page 6

RULES OF RUGBY.

NEW ZEALAND ALTERATIONS

AN AUSTRALIAN

' OPINION.

[?ROH Ot'S OWN CORRESPONDENT.] SYDNEY, Sept. 21.

The members of the New South . Wales Rugby Union decided last night to support the action of the New Zealand Rugby Union in endeavouring to' improve the Jfciugby Union code "by limiting the kicking. into touch and prohibiting a player from running around the scrum until tire ball cornea out. It was decided to again communicate .with the English Rugby Union ill the hope that they will grant the local application for amendments to the code laws decided upon at the 1919 conference, at which New South Wales, New Zealand, and Queensland were represented. -— " The New Zealand Union make it clear," said Mr. A. It. B. Palmer, secretary of- the- New South Wales Rugby Union, "that they mean to play under the revised rules whether the English authorities approve or not. They felt that both Australia and South Africa will support them m a reasonable attempt to improve the game. The. question is fraught with far-reaching possibilities, ~ but even if the flew rules are "played in New Zealand, and perhaps . here, I do not think that international Rugby* relationships will be irreparably damaged. Personally I think the prohibition of kicking into touch will slow the gafce rather than speed it up. I consider the Rugby game as now played is the fastest Rugby code. Elimination of the line kick would mean a succession of long kicks by opposing backs, while the forwards would stand idly by. " With regard, to the other amendment desired, it is merely a Question of getting on paper what is actually the present procedure in England. It affects only the local frame. The Englishmen do not play the wingforward or the breakaway. They pack down and stay down till the ball is out. The incorporation of the New Zealand amendment will not affect the English Association one little bit.

"Had the South African Union agreed to these amendments with ourselves, there is little doubt that the -English Union would have sanctioned them. But South Africa, like England, -while approving cf our proposals to improve the game, were against these particular alterations. The "breakaway and winger are absent in South Africa, as in England. Perhaps the Englishmen, after their coming tour. of Australia and New Zealand, will regard the matter from a new standpoint. Anyhow, I do not think international relationships are going to be upset."