RUGBY RULES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 165, 14 July 1932, Page 8

RUGBY RULES.

THREAT OF TROUBLE. E.R.U. ATTITUDE RESENTED. DISCUSSION BY N.Z.R.U. EXECUTIVE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. At a meeting of the N.Z.R.U. executive last night, respecting the Knglish ruling on Rugby replacements, the chairman, Mr. S. S. Dean, said that some of the unions seemed to be unaware of instructions which had come from England, and of the cablegram received from Mr. Wray, the N.Z. Union's London representative, on June 10, reading: "With reference to the back page of your annual report, the Rugby Committee meets on June 30, and Mr. Pearce (chairman) suggests I obtain before then New Zealand's assurance that Canterbury's motion to discriminate re acceptance of amendments to the laws was rejected. He also asks whether New Zealand has sanctioned substitutes, saying this is entirely foreign to the Home unions. I fear serious consequences if substitute practices are sanctioned." To this the committee has replied: "Canterbury's motion withdrawn, and annual meeting unanimously reaffirmed decision to abide by the rules laid down by International Board. All unions instructed replacements not allowed." In view of the strong feeling of dissatisfaction which had since been aroused in New Zealand, said Mr. Dean, the union had communicated with Mr. Wray in the hope of securing dispensations. Having given its assurance that they would abide by the laws, they had no alternative but. to advise the unions to fall into line and carry out instructions. Mr. Dean said he did not think any member of the committee approved of the attitude of the English • Union. Although it was the practice for teams in the Old Country to stay on the field, there were good reasons for not adopting a similar custom in New Zealand. Personally he thought it was disgusting to see players remaining on the field at half-time chewing oranges and throwing peelings about. It was not a very edifying spectacle. He thought they were all agreed that to forbid replacements was not an act of sportsmanship. A reply had not yet been received to the union's request for dispensations, but immediately it came to hand the unions would be advised of the decision. The committee had no objection to the unions holding a special meeting.

Take Up the Challenge. "If the Home authorities sanction ' the practices to which >ve have become I accustomed, we will be quite happy," he ! added, "but if they don't, then I think we ou<rlit to make a very definite protest. We have informed Australia of the action we have taken, and asked for their support. The Australian Council is meeting on Monday evening next, and we expect a reply immediately afterward." Mr. T. A. Fletcher said the general opinion was that the English Union was unreasonable in insisting upon no replacements. Conditions at Home were different from those in New Zealand. English club matches were more or less social functions. Here football was based upon competition. Mr. H. S. Lcith: They are putting the test on us. The question is whether we shouldn't put it on them, and allow replacements. The matter would then be brought to a head. Mr. Dean: Supposing they say that unless we do as we are told our affiliation must cease ? Mr. Hylton: We would be expelled like France was. Sir. Lcith: I don't quite agree with that. You must remember that we arc part and parcel of the Empire—l think they would think twice at>out expelling us. What N.Z. Has Given Up. , Mr. A. C. Kitto: There is no doubt we are reaching a climax. It seems to mo that ever since we met Mr. Baxter we have had trouble.

Mr. Dean: The position seems to have been aggravated since wc communicated our decision regarding a commission. Apparently they think wc are leading Australia, and have adopted the stand that if New Zealand is going to lead Australia wc will discipline Now Zealand. Mr. Hylton: I wonder if they know that Australia has broken away from the laws of the game as they interpret them. It soems New Zealand is the c-iily country getting the cane at present. Mr. Dean: I suppose they think that if they deal with us, Australia will probably come to heel. Mr. Fletcher: In agreeing to abide by the rules, we have given up far more than they have. We have given up kicking into touch and also our 3-2-3 ecrum. What have they given? If they are going to expel us for little trivialities, then I don't think it shows a very broad outlook. Mr. J. Roach said that New Zealand had given its word to abide by the laws of the frame. It must either carry out its word or withdraw it. "Let us be honest about the thing." Mr. Hylton said there was no need to wait for a reply from England. A large number of unions wanted a

special meeting; why not hold it! In his opinion the sooner it was held the better. Waiting for Australia. Mr. Dean said he thought it would be advisable to wait until they heard what Australia had to say. Mr. J. McLeocl, of Taranaki, who was present by invitation, expressed the opinion that the day was coming to call the bluff of the English Union? It had adopted a pin-pricking attitude. He did not think there was any danger of their affiliation being cancelled. ' Mr. Dean: I would like to hear from Australia. We don't want to be in the position of being isolated altogether. Jt we have Australia with us, not go bad. If we can retain Australia's "Godwin we can express ourselves a bit more forcibly. Mr. McLcod said he was afraid there was a grave danger of the Home authorities playing into the hands of rival codes here.