RULES DIFFICULTY

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 273, 13 August 1932, Page 13

RULES DIFFICULTY

English & New Zealand I — RUGBY LEAGUE CODE Visiting Manager’s Stand Dominion Special Service. Christchurch, August 10. A statement that New Zealand referees were making their own interpretations of the rules of the game and ignoring the English rules, although it had been a principal clause in the contract governing the tour that English rules and interpretations should be observed, was made to-day by Mr. G. F. Hutchins, one of the managers of the English League team. A committee has been set up to discuss differences in the laws of the game in the two countries with the managers of the visiting team. “It is not our fault if New Zealand referees do not. know the English rules, and we insist on their being observed,” said Mr. Hutchins. He instanced the New Zealand rule whereby a forward pass is dealt with by a penalty kick; the English rules demanded a scrum. “There Will be no offer to Cooke as far as we are concerned,” said Mr. Hutchins when asked if there was any truth in the rumour that an English League club was considering offering an engagement to A. E. Cooke, the former Rugby Union All Black. “We have no mandate to offer anyone a ganje, nor are we acting as agents for anyone,” said Mr. Hutchins. NEW ZEALAND TEAM Game Against England PLAYERS FOR TO-DAY By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, August 12. The New Zealand League team for tomorrow, to play against the English tourists is as follows:— Backs: Watene, List, Cooke, Davidson, Hart, Brisbane, Hassan, Abbott (one to be omitted). Forwards: Calder, Campbell, Stephenson, Lawless, Hutt, Amos. The weather prospects are excellent. FIXTURE AT WELLINGTON Next Wednesday Afternoon An England v. New Zealand Rugby League game will take place at Wellington at the Winter Showgrounds next Wednesday afternoon. The visitors are fast and clever, and play a hard game. The team to ineet them will also be strong, and an interesting display is expected. A. E. Cooke will be in the New Zealand team, and his appearance here will no doubt create unusual interest