RUGBY UNION RULES

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28434, 14 November 1957, Page 18

RUGBY UNION RULES

Newspaper Urges Change

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 12. A leading article in today’s “Manchester Guardian” advocates the abolition of the Rugby Union resolution which states that former Rugbv League players, whether they received navment or not. should not be eligible to play in Rugby Union internationls. There has been much discussion of this rule since the arrival of the Australian Wallabies in Britain, for one of their players, the forward. E. Purkiss, is a reinstated amateur. The “Manchester Guardian” comments: “Some Rugby Union rules about professionalism are so strict as to be almost ludicrous. “The visit of an Australian team to the British Isles may, however. bring one of the least defensible rules into the open and possibly even capse its repeal. “Except when he is under 18 years old. or if still in his school team under 19. any youngster who plays Rugby League is likely to be regarded as having committed an act of professionalism, whether he is paid or not. and to be disqualified from playing Rugby Union for any except a service side. “Fantastic” “To carry one’s fear or disapproval of another game, however closely related, to such an extreme is fantastic, and would not. indeed, be possible in the services.” the article says. Referring to the present tour the article says: “The tour and the international matches in it come under the jurisdiction of the International Rugby Football Board, and if the latter’s by-laws and resolutions mean what they appear tc mean and are enforced such a plaver does not appear to be eligible for international games, even if he is for others. “Shall we find one or more of the home unions refusing to play with such a player, or will they turn a blind eye to by-laws and resolutions? “To do the former would be unforgiveable; to do the latter would invite mocking laughter. “It were far better done to abolish the clauses in question and admit that in these days a man may -be a perfectly good amateur footballer of any kind provided he is not a professional of one by the ordinary rules governing * payments and expenses.”