THE RUGBY CODE.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 140, 13 June 1919, Page 7

THE RUGBY CODE.

• AUCKLAND S DECISION. NEW ZEALAND UNION'S ATTITUDE. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") WELLINGTON, this day. Great interest is shown in Rugby circles here oyer Auckland's decision to , play the amended rules in the champion- ■ ship matches. When the matter was referred to Mr. Marris the recently elected chairman of the management committee of the New Zealand Union, Mr. Marris said that no doubt there were develop- j ments ahead, but just at present he was ! not prepared to discuss the question. However, the " Post's" football contribu- ! tor believes the attitude of the English Rugby Union will eventually lead to the abandonment of innovations. He writes: " And so it would appear that Auckland is determined on playing the amendments, despite the cabled ruling of the English Union against them. Notwithstanding the protestations of the Auckland delegates at the New Zealand Union meeting, that Auckland did not want severance, it would seem to be inevitable that the whole matter must again be considered by the New Zealand Union. It can hardly be imagined that, in view of the English Union's attitude, a majority will again advise adoption of the amendments, which must result most detrimentally to New Zealand Rugby football, at least so far as the outshle ! world is concerned. At present the posi- | tion is that Auckland and other centres have the permission of the New Zealand Union to play under certain amended I rules in local competitions, so that thus | the quarrel, if a quarrel comes, will be • between the English and New Zealand Unions. The sooner the position is reviewed, and the decision of the latter body arrived at from a wrong standpoint revoked, the better will it be for New Zealand Rugby."