Rugby “WIDE LINE-OUT” OPPOSED

Press, Volume C, Issue 29681, 27 November 1961, Page 9

Rugby “WIDE LINE-OUT” OPPOSED

View Qf All Black Captain (N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, Nov. 25. The New Zealand Rugby captain, W. J. Whineray, is opposed to the “wide lineout” system recently tested in a series of matches in England, and praised by observers there. The All Blacks experienced the “open line-out” under international match conditions in South Africa in 1900, Whineray said in Auckland today. He was convinced It led to untidier play, and mor® barging and obstruction, •Hie “open line-out” was applied by some referees in some jwvinces but not ae a general practice, Whinerey said. It wag algo adopted strfatigr by socn® teams but not by adl A* a remit, the gap between the AM Blacks and South Africans varied from match to match from fractions of inches to 4ft and sft, he said. “It was like two front rows coming together at times,” Whineray said. Where the Jump was straight up between forwards standing shoulder to shoulder, the tendency was for poaeeerton to be secured more cleanly, provided the referee was given an efficient and helpful interpretation. The speed and success of line-out generally during the last Renfurly Shield series in Auckland confirmed his view in favour of the close Un*. out, Whineray said.