RUGBY FOOTBALL INTERPRETATIONS OF NEW LAWS

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27632, 13 April 1955, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL INTERPRETATIONS OF NEW LAWS

ADVICE RECEIVED FROM INTERNATIONAL BOARD (New Zealand Press Association) „ WELLINGTON. April IX Major amendments to the rules will give Rugby a new look this season. The New Zealand Rugby Union has received interpretations of the new laws from the International Rugby -Board. These have been circulated to unions and the New Zealand Rugby Referees’ Association. They provide for more uniform rulings and stiffer penalties for infringements "against the spirit of the game.” These are the major amendments;— Scrummage There will be a completely new alignment of feet in an effort to improve the hooking process. The amendment says: "The first three feet of either front row must be placed sufficiently, far back to allow the tunnel to be kept clear. The fourth foot may be placed near to. but not on. the middle line, but that foot must not be placed across the third foot nearer the mouth of the tunnel until the ban has left the hands of .the player putting it in.” Other scrummage amendments deal with delay in forming a set scrummage, delay in putting the ball in, prop forwards using the outside arm to pull or push an opponent, and deliberately collapsing - a scrum. They are aimed at clarifying the existing laws to make for more uniform enforcement. Offside The offside law has been tightened considerably to prevent spoilers hindering open Rugby. There Is now no latitude remaining tor players to be in front of the ball in either scrum or lineout. 1 Persistent 'lnfringements Drastic changes have been made to the rules on persistent infringements. A player may now be ordered off the field after three offences of the same nature. The new law says: "Persistent offenders are a nuisance to other players and spoil the enjoyment of a match. They should be ., put . ®“* ** **» game. The International Board and the unions in membershlp will fully support referees in the strict and uniform enforcement of the law.” Penalty Kick Under the new penalty kick law it Is now possible for a team to score eight points without any general play intervening. It provides, for a penalty kick for an infringement in goal or misconduct while the ball is dead. If a team scores a try and a member of the other team strikes one of its players, the team can convert the try and then restart play with a penalty kick from half-way. There are other minor amendments to the rules designed to clarify last season's new laws, and provide opportunity for a type of Rugby that cannot be spoiled by players not abiding by tLe spirit of the game.. Penalties for these offences are now heavier, and mandatory. The amendments and their interpretation by the International Rugby Board were discussed by New Zealand Rugby referees at their annual conference at Napier during the week-end. The conference, which 'discussed the amendments for more than 15 hours, unanimously supported the major amendments. Some minor changes are to bereferred back to the New Zealand Rugby Union.

RUGBY LEAGUE

DRAW FOR SATURDAY The following is the Rugby League draw for Saturday, April 16:— Seniors.—Pap v. Mar, Show Gds oval, 3 p.m. (C. Hills); Syd v. Lin, Show Gds oval, 1.15 p.m. (A. Cox); Chch v. Horn, Hornby, 2.45 p.m. (S. McKenzie). Senior Reserve.—Add v. Dall, Jer st, 1.15 p.m. (W. Massey); Horn v. Lin, Horn, 1.15 p.m. (W. Wilkinson); Chch v. Rice, Syd Pk, 1.15 p.m. (K. Cox); Mar v. Pap, Pan Dom, 2.45 p.m. (A. Carter); Syd, bye. Touch judges: 1.15 p.m., A. Dennis, J. Sargisson; 3 p.m., N. Jones, J. Snell. Timekeeper: Mr G. Williams. Schoolboys* Draw (Preliminary Round) 16-Year Grade.—Lin v. Dall, Lin Pk, 11 a.m. (N. Jones). Bst 51b Grade.—Add v. Syd, Jer st, 11 a.m. (S. Dennis); Dall v. Lin, Lin Pk, 10 a.m. (S. Clarke). 7st 71b Grade.—Dall v. Chch, Avon Pk, 11 a.m. (K. Diggs); Add. bye. 6st 71b Grade.—Lin v. Dall, Avon Pk, 10 a.m. (W. McKenzie); Add. bye. sst 71b Grade.—Harewood Airport Sch v. Chch, Syd Pk, 10.30 a.m. (T. Qckwell); Add v. Dall, Jer st, 10 a.m. (S. Dennis). sst Grade (all games at Show Grounds at 10 a.m.—Mar A v. Add A, Chch A v. Dall A, Lin v Add B. Mar B v. D£ll B, Chch B v. Add C, Referees: K. Fairbairn. B. Franklin, P. Hanson, L. Hartman. —Advt-

ASSOCIATION CODE

GRADE GAMES WITH MIDCANTERBURY

HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS TO PLAY ON SATURDAYS

As there will be only five teams in the Canterbury Football Association’s second division competition this season, endeavours will be made to match the teams drawing the bye with teams from MidCanterbury districts. This was decided by the association’s management committee at a meeting last evening. Advice was received that Boys* High School and Christchurch West High School would enter three teams each in the Saturday competitions. This will be the first time in the history of the association that teams from the Schools* Association will play in Saturday competitions under its jurisdiction. It was reported that the Canterbury referees’ team which travelled to Wellington to play the Wellington referees for the Blowers trophy was defeated by 2 goals to 1, but Canterbury beat Wellington in a cricket match. Wellington made 72 and Canterbury 86. For Canterbury, I. Billcliff took four wickets for 13, including thfe hat-trick. DRAW FOR SATURDAY The following is the draw for Saturday:— First Division.—Thistly v. Nomads, English Park, 1 p.m.; Western v. University, Elmwood. 2.45; Technical v. Shamrock, English Park, 2.45. Second Division, 2-45,—Neer v. Ran, Lin; City v. Atl, Beck; Wig v. Port Montreal, Hag 3. - Senior Reserve, 2.4s—Section 1: West v. City, Spr 2; Vars v. Burn, H 1; Wig v. Neer, Wig; Tech v. This, Barr. Section 2: Ran v. Sham, St A; This v. T Coll, H 2; Nom v. Tech, Malv.

Junior, 2.4s.—Section 1: This v. Sham, St A 12 noon; City v. Ran, Bur 2; Nom v. West, Spr 1. Section 2: City v. Vars, H 4; Tech v BHS, Ens rd. —Advt.