Good start for new rugby laws

Press, 16 May 1985, Page 44

Good start for new rugby laws

PA Auckland New laws have given rugby officials an encouraging start to the season in their fight against spinal injuries. This time last year six players were paralysed on playing fields around New Zealand. The 1985 season is a month old without any

players being admitted to either of the country’s spinal units at Otara (Auckland) and Burwood (Christchurch) Hospitals. Dr Hugh Burry, the New Zealand Rugby Union’s medical advisory officer, called it an “outstanding start” to the season.

Dr Burry has been studying cervical rugby injuries

since 1978 and advised the union’s technical committee on the new depowered scrum laws.

“It’s still very early in the season but there has been an apparent improvement on last year.” Dr Burry said he had seen one collapsed scrum this season and the new laws had also eliminated the

piles of bodies around rucks. “The biggest remaining risk area is tackling and that is a matter of good technique.” A national councillor, Mr Ritchie Guy, who has also looked closely at the spinal injury problem, said he was very pleased the season had gone so far

without a serious spinal injury. “I thought the rule about the scrums not moving more than a metre in either direction was a bit unnecessary, but if we get through the season without a serious injury we will know it is correct. “It’s been an encouraging start,” he said.