RUGBY LAWS

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 176, 22 April 1937, Page 13

RUGBY LAWS

International Rules for Trial Games SCRUM FORMATIONS Union Defeats Move for Reversion to 2-3-2 The New Zealand Rugby Union, ar the annual meeting of delegates in Wellington yesterday, decided to adhere to the amended rules for the present season, but agreed that international rules should be played during the trial matches to select the All Black team to meet the Springboks in the Tests, when international rules will be played. Mr. J. N. Millard, on behalf of the Wellington Union, moved: “That it be a recommendation to the New Zealand union that all club and representative matches this season be played under international rules regarding kicking into touch until after the conclusion of the South African tour.” In moving the remit, Mr. Millard said it was desired that players should this season have an opportunity of playing under the rules under which they would have to play in the Test matches against the South Africans. The motion was seconded by Mr. H. Harris (Otago). Dr. W. S. Seed (Canterbury) moved as an amendment that the game be played in New Zealand this season under the international rules only in the trial matches. Mr. A. A. Baker (Auckland) seconded the amendment, remarking that Auckland had now been playing the amended rules for some years and had had no difficulty in defeating overseas Mr. N. A. McKenzie (Hawke’s Bay) supported the amendment, remarking that the amended rules led to more unorthodox play than did the international rules. The Springboks knew the International rules by heart, and New Zealand would have a better chance of beating the South African team by unorthodox play. Dr. Seed, at this stage, withdrew his amendment. Mr. A. A. Adams (West Coast) said that players and officials were getting sick of chopping and changing of rules. Mr. F. T. Glasgow said that the visit of the South African team appeared to becoming a bogy in New Zealand. The South African team would be on the heavy side, and the best way of beating them would be to run them off their feet. On being put to the vote, the Wellington remit was lost. Mr. Millard then moved that the trial matches and the inter-island match be played under the international rules. Major T. J. King seconded the motion, which was carried. Plea For 2-3-2 Scrum. The following remit was put forward by Taranaki: —“That in the coming season the New Zealand Rugby Union revert to the 2-3-2 scrummage formation, with the wing-forward." Mr. J. Sullivan, in moving the remit, contended that the 2-3-2 scrum was infinitely superior to any other formation. Mr. N. A. McKenzie (Hawke’s Bay) said Hawke’s Bay was in sympathy with the Taranaki remit. New Zealand had now tried three men in the front row of the scrum and had not made a success of it. It was impossible to send a short pass to the backs with the present farcical scrum formation. Mr. M. F. Nicholls (Wellington) on being invited to give his opinion, said that he considered that two men could not get the ball from three men in the front of a scrum. It had been suggested that they should run the Springboks off their feet, but in order to do this it would be necessary to obtain possession of the ball in the scrums The Taranaki remit, on being put to the vote, was lost on the voices. Springboks’ Tour. Mr. S. S. Dean announced that, at a recent special meeting of the management committee the following charges had been decided upon for the visit of the South African team: — Admission to ground :—Provincial matches 2/-, test matches 2/6. School children: Provincial matches 1/-, test matches 1/-; Enclosures: Provincial matches, 3/6; test matches, 5/G; temporary stands: Provincial matches, 5/6; test matches, 7/6; main stands: Provincial matches, 7/6 and 10/-; test matches, 11/- and £l. Some delegates considered that the charges for the stands were too high. Mr. Dean pointed out that the charges were the same as those charged for the English team’s tour. Ten shilling seats had sold in the streets when the English team was in New Zealand at as high as £2 10/-. He did not consider

the charges were excessive. Duration of Spells. Mr. H. Frost (Auckland) asked if there was any agreement as to the duration of spells in interprovincial matches. Some unions played 40 minutes, and others 45 minutes. The extra ten minutes made a great deal of difference. Mr. H. Harris (Otago) said that Otago had always played spells of 45 minutes' duration. Some teams which had gone there to play for the Ranfurly Shield last season had stood out for 40-minute spells and Otago had had to give way. He moved that all interprovincial matches in New Zealand this year be played in 45-minute spells. The motion was carried. Visit by Japanese Team. Mr. A. E. McPhail (Canterbury) brought up the question of issuing an invitation to the All-Japan Rugby Union to send a team to New Zealand to return the tour made recently by the New Zealand universities team. The New Zealand University Rugby Council would like to see the New Zealand Rugby Union give further consideration to the question before turning it down finally, and he moved that this be done. Mr. S. S. Dean said the management committee of the New Zealand union had gone carefully into the cost of bringing a Japanese team to the Dominion and considered it would be too expensive in view of the drawing power of a Japanese team. Moreover, it was considered that any team which was brought to the Dominion should come under the jurisdiction of the New Zealand union. He considered the loss on bringing a Japanese team to New Zealand would be nearer £2OOO than £lOOO. On Mr. McPhail offering to guarantee any loss on a visit from a Japanese team his motion was carried. On the motion of Mr. Dean, it was decided to send a letter to Mr. Cecil J. Wray, representative of the New Zealand union on the Rugby Football

Union (England), expressing appreciation of the services he had performed for the New Zealand union in England during the past 18 years. It was decided to allocate £750 to school football for the year.