Laws Confused When Line-out Ends

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30405, 2 April 1964, Page 15

Laws Confused When Line-out Ends

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, April 1. The New Zealand Rugby Union will immediately reprint the law book to cater for the modifications and changes to the laws made by the International Rugby Board.

Mr C. A. Blazey, who attended the special board meeting of laws, said: “The number of alterations is such that if we tried to tie them in with the old book it would soon become confusing. “We should issue a new law book as soon as possible and if need be publish a correction slip for slight technical alterations later.” Ruling Necessary The chairman, Mr T. C. Morrison, agreed with Mr J. N. Millard that before there was any re-printing some ruling would have to be given on when a line-out was deemed to have ended.

‘This is the only confusing thing, the only thing about which there is doubt,” he added. "When the ball is caught in the line-out and the surge takes place with the players moving out of the line of touch—this is when a line-

out ends, I feel.” Mr T. H. Pearce: “Once the line-out has moved from a static position it is ended. Brought Into Maul “But also, when the ball is taken and the taker is tackled and brought into the maul and cannot play it, then the line-out is finished, too, even though the ball may not have moved from the line.” The council decided that Mr Blazey should consider the line-out situation and report to the next meeting on Friday with a suggested interpretation.