Kick-Into-Touch Rule Defeated

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30196, 30 July 1963, Page 20

Kick-Into-Touch Rule Defeated

(From Cur Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, July 29. An attempt by Auckland to restrict kicking into touch between the twenty-fives was defeated by 60 votes to 37 at a special meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union in Wellington today.

Eight unions, counties. Bay' of Plenty, Poverty Bay, Buller, Nelson, Hawke’s Bay, Thames Valley and North Otago supported Auckland. Two unions, Manawatu and Taranaki, withdrew their support before the remit was discussed. Mr R. L. Burk (Auckland) said the remit was the most revolutionary before the meeting. It was aimed at improving back play and brightening Rugby.

"We face this issue more than any other union in New Zealand and we believe it will do much to improve our Rugby.” he said.

Mr L. W. Deas (Auckland) said Rugby was toe only game where an advantage was gained from keeping the ball out of play

Mr C. K. Saxton (Otago) said that toe restricted kick into touch rule was not toe answer to the main problem —scrounging forwards. “This will develop more scroungers—we will have fast, loose forwards and lose toe good tight forwards who are the source of New Zealand’s Rugby strength.” “I am amazed at Auckland’s suggestion,” sa ; d Mr M R. Bunt (West Coast) “It will lead to aimless kicking and running. It may suit Auckland and Australia but not New Zealand Rugby in general.” “What we want to do is lasso the spoiling forwards,” said Mr -T C. Morrison, "having this rule will

only create more loose play.’’ He added that he had played under the restrictive kick into touch ru’"'c and had hot been impressed by them. “There was much aimless kicking and running —it will not improve our Rugby.” In reply, Mr Burk said South Africa had found that the rule was one that found most favour during a period of play under experimental rules this season.