N.Z.R.F.U. defends line-out decision

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33219, 8 May 1973, Page 36

N.Z.R.F.U. defends line-out decision

r.Vctp Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON. The New Zealand Rugby Football L-nion laws expert, Mr C. A. Blazey, last evening replied to criticism that the new line-out laws had been introduced without administrators and players being consulted.

Mr Blazey fold the N.Z.R.F.U. executive meeting that a statement was made at a provincial union meeting last week which needed correction. (At a meeting of the Auckland union, a delegate said it was time players and administrators were consulted o law changes.) Mr Blazey said that to say the N.Z.R.F.U. had consulted no-one was untrue. The N.Z.R.F.U. not only asked provincial unions to make submissions but also a number of leading international players. “All of the submissions were considered at a council

imeeting in August,” Mr, , i Blazey said. “The decisions ' were "reported by the news- ’ papers and w’ere listed in the ■ minutes. ; “And the actual changes i approved by the international board, though they were not identical with what the New . Zealand union had proposed, 1 were suggested at least by . one or other of the unions in 1 New Zealand. “Not only were unions and ’ players consulted, but indeed 1 they were kept informed, i What more could have been r done?” > The chairman (Mr J. L. ) Sullivan) said the union had ■ gone into the line-out laws further than it had done on > anything for many years. 1 The executive approved,

subject to the permission of Ithe provincial unions involved, a festival Rugby match on May 20 between the Saracens and Cantabrians in Napier. It will ask the Australian union whether the Wallaby half-back, J. Hipwell, can be released to play in the match. Buller, the only applicant, has been granted the Middlesex Cup seven-a-side tournament this year.