League SUBSTITUTES IN TEST

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30287, 13 November 1963, Page 19

League SUBSTITUTES IN TEST

Aust. Wants Rule Changed (N.Z. Press Assn. —Copyright) ILKLEY, Nov. 12. Australia will press for substiatutes to be permitted in test matches when tlhe International Rugby League Board meets next month, Mr W. Buckley, chairman of the Australian Board of Control, said today. “Rugby League is not only a sport but a public entertainment, and tihe public has got to be considered,” Mr Buckley said. He would also discuss tthe whole question of transfers and clearances between England and Australia with the English Rugby League Council, which he will address on Friday. “The strongest tie between all Rugby League countries is in respect of clearances," he said. "There is no possibility of any player being allowed to play in Australia until he has a clearance from the English League.” Mr Buckley said Australia would not agree to any system of an exchange of players for specific periods. Mr Buckley said one of the most important things to be dealt with by the top legislators of all countries was the play-the-ball rule. ’“The official Australian view ia that the rule must be tightened up in such a way that it will be uniform in alii countries,” he said. ‘‘Any! rule that is not respected is better off the rule book." He said that a new method of playing the ball might be introduced. Instead of putting the ball under the foot the player might have to play it with the side of the foot as bad been done in the past. “I don’t think tihart referees are making the slightest attempt to see that the ball is played properly," he said. ‘‘We might also have to take some action against coaches."