RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 777, 29 March 1910, Page 9

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

CHANGES IN THE LAWS. BY THE INTERNATIONAL BOARD. According to the Sydney "Referee," word'has just been received in Australia to the effect that a meeting of the International Board was held, in London on February 11, when the following • were present:—Messrs. T. C. Tring (in the chair), G. Rowland Hill, W. Crook, E. T. Gurdon, A. Hartley', and Wm. Coil (England), J. A. Smith and A. Blair (Scotland), H. Lyne and A; Llcwcjlyn (Wales), J. B. Moore and R. G. Warton (hoh. secretary) (Ireland). The Draft By-laws of the board and the proposed alterations in the Laws of the Game were considered, and further consideration adjourned until the general meeting to be held this month. r

Mr. W. W. Hill, secretary of the New South Wales Rugby Union, has just received official news from England that the International Board has made certain changes in the Laws of the Game, on the, suggestion of. the New Zealand and New South Wales Unions. In; all cases of out-of-touch play, the ball will henceforth belong to the ride which is not responsible for its going out. Therefore, if a player 'carry it, as is so often done, it will,no. longcr.-belong side; but if he is thrown out or forced out, it will belong to his side. The advantage rule is to apply to the line-out and all other cases. The: referee is now empowered to award a goal if he- thinks one would have been scored but for illegal interference, the same as in the case of a try. The definition of "held" is now combined with that of "tackled," and the law-simplified.- It.is aleo provided that the ball may be picked up after a tackle, provided, of 'course,', the player is not downed with it and retains his possession while the. ball is on the ground. There arc two or three other minor changes. Without reservation, the International Board" is to bo heartily congratulated on these. amendments, which simplify the'laws,-and must tend to relieve the'game of certain crudehesses, and to enhance its scientific.side.

■'■ASSOCIATION MATCH. .'■- A match was played yesterday afternoon between the. Swifts Association Football Club and a Picton team on the Domain at Picton, Tho Swifts Club won by, i goals -to nil.' NORTHERN UNION;GAME. PROJECTED TOUR OF THE ■■■■,'■ ; '.;. :.:-..' ■COLONIES.:.,,-'. .\:~ '■;.-,■ . According to:."Forward," of tho "Athletic News,", the'-.colonials showed .themselves truo sportsmen in connection with the negotiations. for' a lour of Austral-, asda by a Home- Northern Union team, and agreed to all ..tho terms originally made by the English Union. These terms will (he continues) probably not: be divulged until: a statement of accounts is issued at the end of tho season, but the fact that' Australia have improved ou their original offer twice and finally agreed to all the Northern Union's demands is .evidence that tho colonials are most, anxious to entertain itho premier Union. :■■

A : provisional.programme is arranged,' and if. tho .Australian League's proposals arc approved the .first match will -be played oh Saturday, June' 4.' The team will leave England on tho eve of the Cup final, and arrangements will be made for ..playors who have beeii chosen from the Cup finalists to.travel overland via Brinr disi. On tho ' last Saturday of" April tho League, final will ' be •■.played, -and" players_ in ■ this• match; cannot- possibly arrive in ..Sydney for .tho opening-game; This League final is; the only, obstacle which" will prevent; a full representative team for the opening game of tho tour on June 4. ',•■-. -,'.;'■. '■■ .■■ ■:■'■' ■■"'>' : The completo :tour.will comprise' from .18. to :'22 .matches. ■ The first big- game will bo -played,on'.tho .Prince,of,,Wa!es's. ' general ' holiday.'''in .■'. ; the'; ■colony—and; an optimistic 'colonial; oh. Saturday guaranteed, a '46,'000 "gate"' at Sydney for the match, leather conditions, of ; course, .being' favourable. '.Two matches per week will be played, and the visit to New Zealand will. conclude the tour. • New' Zealand: has given a suitable guarantee for six games,- and according to present arrangements-'''the visit will terminate:early in August,, the team arriving back in Euglandduring the second or third week, in September. Australia's intention is to play the "Kangaroos" and the "Wallabies" against their -guests, and these games, with tho possible ,excep : Hon of Combined Australasia, should, bej tho most • interesting of the tour; ' -.'■' "'-."May-1 plead-with'the union"to abandon the'original idea of asking club's for nominations?" queries "Forward.",. • "It is an open" secret that; some prominent officials do not at all favour the tour, but the majority rule* and now that ; the visit has been decided upon, our union's ■. duty,, to themselves and the Leagues of Australia and New Zealand, is.to select the best team. •• If a player cannot for private reasons make the journey, then he must be excused; but allow the player the option.' Club jealousies and .narrowminded ideas must not bb. tolerated on. this, all-important matter of team: selection. Twenty-four or 26 players are.to bo taken, and, for' honour's sake, these must be best on the'league, register of the Northern ■ Union. Matches must be won if the tour is to be a financial success, and : our best players are willing. and eager to:-test, their strength With the .colonials. ;

"The. men to be selected will all be Britishers, for,; clever though.'my colonial friends are in a football sense, they will be no attraction "at Home,"- and the Northern Union; mil. rely upon Home-' bred players'. . Character, apart '. from football ability, is. to weigh with" the selectors. A player who has a reputation' for slackness off. the field;, even though his abilities on the field are of a pronounced. order, will not be considered, for the-Northern Union is determined t. take only trustworthy. and reliablo men. Ido not think a -final choice will be made for some few reeks. .Possibly the Cup ties may reveal unexpected talent, and I' confidently predict some surprising selections." .