RUGBY

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 85, 10 April 1926, Page 22

RUGBY

BY "DnOPKICK"

LAWS OF THE GAME

FURTHER AMFNOMENTS MADE

TO OPEEATE THIS SEASON.

The laws of the Eugby Union game •with rulings and notes thereon, are many, and with each season's experience fresh points crop up to make the rule book more weighty. Further additions are being made this season, the New Zealand Eugby Union having been advised by the Home authorities that these have been confirmed. The material in the rule book at the present time is of such extent that to know it all thoroughly would mean more study than most followers of the gamo might care to devote to it. If the alterations are to go on season by season no little confusion may. arise, and it would seem that the time is now ripe for placing the rules and rulings on a basis that ;will make for uniformity. All the tinkering that has been going on should, be removed and a better understanding" created. It does seem that the whole book might.be condensed in a manner that would give general satisfaction and leave little room for doubt in the matter of interpretations. The New Zealand delegates to the Imperial Conference urged that there should be a complete revision of the rules, and it is understood that this is being done. ."Whether they are to appear in more concise form remains.to bo seen. Meanwhile further amendments are being made, and those to operate in New Zealand this season are important and should be studied carefully. They are as follow?—

Scrummage (Lav 2): —

A scrummage, which can only take place in the field of play, is formed by one or more players from each side closing round the ball when it is on the ground, or by their closing up in readiness to allow the ball to be put on the ground between them. Note.—ln all cases where the referee orders a scrummage, the re.feree shall award to the team which ■is not responsible for the stoppage in ;the game, the right of putting the j-faall into the scrummage on either side. In case of doubt, the referee .-•hall award such'right to the side ;Tfhich is territorially on the defensive.

A player shall be considered as .Jrilfully preventing the ball being .; fairly put into the scrummage under Law 11 (m) if before the ball is fairly in the scrummage he moves ; either of his feet beyond the front line of his forwards. ■ .... The attention of referees is specially drawn to the necessity of rigidly and, immediately enforcing the .penalty incurred. '... It is illegal for more than three players on each side to form the front row of their forwards before the ball is put into the scrummage. ■'.'■'. The ball is not fairly in the scrummage until it has passed a player . on each side. Alterations to Law 11, referring to a •erummage, should also be noted. -It is important to observe that the following two paragraphs which appeared in last season's laws have been deleted:— (1) Note.—The referee may order "the ballto.be put into the scrummage from either side he may choose. - (2) Follows the ball into the scrumihage with either foot. Law 11, section (o): "Being in a terummage, lift a foot from the ground before the ball has been put into such •erummage" has been deleted.

Other Alterations.

. A goal (Law 2). The second paragraph of note to definition of a goal sow reads: — A kicker and a placer must, except in the case of a penalty kick, be distinct persons, and the kicker may not, except in the case of a penalty kick, touch the ball when on the ground, even though the charge has been disallowed. Law 8, section (b), now reads:— (b) When the ball has been kicked by, or has been intentionally touched by an opponent. Section (f) part of note, referring to ift free-kick, now reads: — A free-kick or scrummage should be awarded, at their option, as it was the duty of the off-side player to have retired beyond the 10 yards limit. Law 10: An addition has been made •B follows, and the first paragraph of the note to law 10 which appeared in last-season's laws, has, in consequence, been deleted: — When a penalty kick is aw&rded, the opposite side may not charge. They must remain passive on or behind a line drawn through the mark ■where the penalty kick is awarded and parallel to the goal line. A new sub-section • has been added, as follows: — (p) Not himself running for the tall, wilfully charges or obstructs an opponent who has just 1 kicked the ball. On breach of sub-section (p) the ' opposite side shall be awarded at their option a free-kick (a) at the place of infringement; (b) at the ' spot where the ball alights. In the event of the ball alighting •in touch the kick shall be taken at or behind the spot ten yards from the touch line drawn parallel to the goal line through the point where it crossed the touch line, or in the event of the ball alighting in in-goal, at or behind a spot noteless than ten yards •from the goal line on a lino drawn parallel to the touch line through the ■pot where it crossed the goal line. , ' .Law 12, Section (a). This law now reads:— (a) Throwing it out so as to alight at least five yards, at right angles to i tho touch line. .'" Note.—A penalty kick should not be awarded if the ball does not •alight at least five yards at right angles to the touch line unless persistgently thrown less than that distance, •which should be dealt with under law II (n) or law 13 (b). . The following note has been added to law 12 (a) and also to the definitions pt kick-off and of drop-out. Note. —The advantage rule does not apply.

Cooke Not Forsaking Kugby.

A. E. Cooke, the All Black, is very 'decided in his denials of the suggestion that he intends to change over from Bugby to League. In Napier last week he made a very definite pronouncement on the subject. Referring to the suggestion that it was possible that he jnight play in Wellington this season, Cooke, in conversation with a "Telegraph" reporter, denied that lie .would be leaving Napier this season, and rumours that he would go to Wellington or return to Auckland were quite untrue. It was a fact that he had a short residence in Wellington, going thither from Auckland, after his teturn from England, but the fact had no significance as he intended in future to resido in Hawkes Bay and follow the game there. He intended, ho said, to play Eugby in Hawkes Bay for the Technical College Old Boys' Club—a club newly entering senior ranks this year. Discussing offers made to him by thVLesgu* people when he was

Home, Cooke said:—"l did get an offer while Home from the Hull Club, at £750 for a three years' engagement with a salary per game of £5 for a win, £4 for a draw, and £3 for a loss, but I did not consider it, for I know nothing in the League game that would make me forsake Eugby. League is played for about nine months of the year with two games a week, but if a man gets knocked out in a game he does not got paid for the ganie3 he misses, and if he happened to go off form he would be bumped into the lower grades, and given less pay. The £750 is for a three years' engagement too, and a man cannot lift that money till his three years are up." Cooke also denied the suggestion that he had been invited to go Home with the New Zealand League team this season. "I have no such invitation," he said, "and the prospects of such a tour do not appeal to me. I will not be forsaking the Bugby code for the League game."

Reinstatements.

Much of the time at meetings of the Management Committee of the Wellington Eugby Union is taken up with the consideration of applications for reinstatement by players anxious to return to the fold, after an excursion into League ranks. Each week at 8 o'clock several penitents appear, and as each must be examined, valuable trie soon slips away. This week several members of the committee expressed regret that so much time had to be wasted on men (as-one member put it) "who thought so little of Eugby that they turned it down for another game." The suggestion was made that there should be a stipulation that applications for reinstatement should be in by a certain time each season. If an ex-League player failed to send in his application by that time he should havo to wait until the following season before being readmitted. While agreeing that valuable time was wasted, the chairman (Mr. J. Prendeville) said that it was the duty of the committee to deal with applications as they were received, and he did not think the system could be altered. The matter was not pursued any further. ■ i At this week's meeting of the committee, applications for reinstatement included one or two from players who had belonged to other centres, and this fact gave rise to a suggestion that such applications should he deferred to the centre in question before any recommendation was made to the N.Z.E.U. This suggestion met with general approval, and a motion embodying it was carried.

Following the All Blacks,

They are still talking (and writing) about the All Blacks at Home, and several rumours have been in circulation that Ireland intended to adopt the New Zealand formation. Discussing the matter recently, "Touch Judge," in "The Sporting Life," said that if Ireland had ambitions in the direction of emulating the methods of the All Blacks they had many difficulties before them. "In the first place they must cultivate men.of speed arid resource who will play the five-eighths game, and nothing else at all times,' exactly as did New Zealand. These men must eliminate altogether the idea that they are included in the team an scoring factors. They cannot.be, or they are.not five-eighths as regarded' by the All Blacks. In the last tour Mark Nicholls, a glorious player in every sense of the word, scored only one try out of 15G obtained in England; yet he 'made,' the side on many occasions.' But a Mark Nicholls is not discovered in a season or in a generation, and he never will be if an individual desiring to follow his footsteps does not play in this position every time he turns out, and he cannot do that unless the New Zealand game is universally adopted in Ireland. But this is not all. To play the New Zealand game with any success it is necessary for the team as a whole to operato time and again in the new formation; for each member of the side to be, as it were, a specialist in his particular position; and for each man to train consistently, resolutely, in fact, almost to devote his life to improvement in physical, mental, and athletic qualities. It may bo possible for this to be done by Ireland, or even by a club, but I doubt it greatly.

Keeping the Flag Plying.

During the 1925-26 Bugby season at Home a new organisation came into being—the London-New Zealand Football Club. Writing from London under date of 18th February, "The Post's" correspondent stated:

"The London-New Zealand Football Club have now been able to Tent a graund at Chingford, Epping Forest, and last Saturday, in beautiful weather, the first match on the home ground was played against the London-Irish A team. The New Zealanders kicked off against a strong sun and immediately carried play into the visitors' territory. After a few minutes, T. Brooks crossed the line, but the try was unconverted. Another try was shortly afterwards made by J. B. Wyllie. This, too, was unconverted. After this the Irish defence proved equal to the occasion until-the end of the first spell. On changing ends the New Zealanders immediately attacked, and following a good round of passing, J. Barclay got over and scored another unconverted try. The Irish team then carried play into the home twenty-five, but G. D. Meadowcroft, the New Zealand fullback, stopped a forward rush, came up with the ball, and set his back in motion. . The passr^ rush was carried down the length o± the field by eight of the home side, and H. S. Gilmour was able to touch down. This try was converted by T. Maleon. Shortly afterwards from a forward rush "Wyllie dribbled the ball over and scored a try. This was unconverted. The game therefore ended with an easy victory for the New Zealanders of 17 points to nil."

A Boon to Busby.

The fact that Eden Park has been secured for Kugby and cricket for all time was made the subject of comment in the annual report of the Auckland Bugby Union. "The most important matter to all interested in the future of tho game is the Eden issue," states the report. "The committee is in the happy position now of being able to report that this fine playing area has bee- secured for the use of cricket and football for all time. The negotiations have been protracted, but worth while. Many obstacles had to be overcome, but tho spirit of preserving the area for sport prodominated throughout the proceedings, and once a common basis was arrived at whereby all interests were conserved, arrangements of details were soon settled. The committee desires to pay a tribute to the trustees of Eden Park on their public spirit, as it is fully realised that many sacrifices were made to bring about an equitable working arrangement. In connection with the management of the park a board of control, on which the trustees, Cricket Association, and Eugby Union are represented, has been set up, and there is every prospect that within the course of two or three years provision for tho accommodation of the public will equal anything in the Dominion."

Not What it Should Be,

That the standard of play in Taranaki was not all that it should be was the burden of some remarks made at the annual meeting of the union by Mr. J. M'Leod (chairman of the Management Committee). Ho said that ho had to report that after an arduous season the committee was not satisfied that fooball in Taranaki was all that it should be. He was one of those who was not satisfied that the game had come back and that the senior players were in a position to hold their own

against seniors of clubs of other provinces. Ways and means should be considered whereby the standard of play could be raised, for it was apparent to people who travelled about, that senior football in Taranaki lacked enterprise. A duty devolved upon all clubs to settle down and think why Taranaki football was not on the same plane as that which obtained in Christchureh, Wellington, and Auckland. The fact should be transmitted back to clubs that either more concentration or more training was needed, and Mr. M'Leod earnestly appealed to everybody to go from the meeting feeling that definite steps should be taken to raise the standard of play in the province. Taranaki players had plenty of brawn, but lacked brains behind the game. The system of play was more one of spoiling the opponents' game than of developing scoring tactics, and the general impression of the executive was that the tactics of play adopted by the clubs were wrong. His message that night was for every club to settle down, and, in its own way, endeavour to reconstruct the tactics of the past, always with the object of improving the standard of play.

New Flayers in New South Wales,

According to all accounts the Eugby Union game is booming in New South Wales, and the prospects for the coming season are particularly bright. Of new players a writer in a Sydney paper has the following to say:—"Eugby Union football in this State will gain a number of players of repute for inclusion in its club ranks during the coming season. Most notable of these is A. C. (John) Wallace, Scottish international and Oxford University player, who will either be attached to Wests or Glebe-Balmain. Pegler, a flying forward from South Africa, and Van de Merwe, who is regarded as the successor to Van Heerden, the Springbok winger who carried all before him when in New South Wales, with the 1921 Springboks, are at present studying wool-classing at the East Sydney Technical College. It is understood that they will reside in Eastern Suburbs District. Bryant, winger, Collins, forward, and C. V. Morrisey, all from Newcastle, will play with metropolitan clubs. "Slip" Car and Viv. Dunn are to play with their district clubs. Dunn was probably the best of an excellent lot of forwards who formed the A.I.F. team, and will, no doubt, be an acquisition to the game. "Slip" Carr has not played football since 1922, but if he pays proper attention to training there is no reason that he should not gain a place in the State team for next season."

Notes.

Mattson, the Ponsonby (Auckland) ■wing three-quarter, who gained a place in the All Blacks last season, will not be playing again this season. A troublesome knee.injury has caused his retirement the game. Another defection from the Ponsonby backs will be the veteraiL player, ~M-' Manus. As Sir Henry Braddon did not seek re-election as . president of the New South Wales Kugby Union, it was necessary at the annual meeting held recently to appoint a successor, and -the honour went to Mr. H. D. Wood, one of the most consistent and keenest of enthusiasts of the game in New South Wales. Mr. Wood has been an administrator of the Bugby Union in many capacities for a great number of years, and his appointment is a very popular one (says a Sydney writer). Playing against the Queensland©™ m 1898, Mr. Wood has been identified with the Bugby Union ever since, and will be, on account of his close association with the game and his deep interest, a worthy president. . . Gill has decided to throw in his lot with Athletic this season. There was a rumour afloat that he would play for Oriental, but Gill has now signed up with the Black and Blues. H. Wilson, C. Anderson, and Karl If worsen are to select Auckland's representative team this season. The firstknown is better, known* as "Blazer" or "Ham" Wilson, who was a forward for City Club and the province some years back. Charlie Anderson has figured for several years as wing-forward for Marist Old Boys, and at times for Auckland, while last year he acted as understudy to the sole selector, Mr. G. Nicholson, in connection, with the choosing of the B teams. Karl Ifwersen is the well-known player who has represented New Zealand at Eugby and League as five-eighths and centre threequarter. Karl Ifw rsen did some coaching last year for the North Shore team, and he will no doubt continue to give them the benefit of his experience when he is available, but he has agreed to do coaching work this season for Grammar Old Boys, with which team he concluded his playing days the year before last. Sheen, who has been one of the mainstays of the King's Old Boys in the back division, and showed great form at five-eighths for Auckland at the end of last season, will be with the Grammar Old Boys this year. He is expected to take the place of A. E. Cooke in the Auckland representative team, a hope that has grown out of his brilliant displays in the Wellington and Hawkes Bay games at the end of last year.

Judging from the array of talent in Hawkes Bay, it will be a very formidable combination that can hope to deprive the champion team of New Zealand of the Banfurly Shield (remarks a writer in the "New Zealand Herald"). They will still have in their ranks Nepia, the Brownlie brothers, Mill, and Irvine, while Cooke will add still further to ' the brilliance of the team. Hawkes Bay will probably be the greatest sufferers when the Maori team leaves New Zealand, for of their team Nepia, Mill, Paewai, Ormond, Blake, Gemmell, and Walker are all likely to obtain places. Falwasser is another who should be' in the team. It is reported that he may play in Taranaki this season. The departure of these players will possibly weaken the champion team a great deal, but when the All Blacks went away in 1924, taking with them six of Hawkes Bay bcpt players, they still maintained their premier position. There :is no reason to believe that there will be any change this year.

The Canterbury Union has decided to invite a Wellington representative team to play Canterbury at Christch .rch on 3rd June (the King's Birthday).

At Lansdowne road, Dublin, in February, Ireland defeated England at Eugby football for the first time since 1911, scoring three goals (one penalty) and two tries (19 points) to three goals (15 points). There were moments when England threatened to emerge from this tremendous struggle the victors, but on the whole Ireland merited their success, if only for the splendid work of their forwards and the fierce thrust of their .backs when near the line. The crowd was too much for the stands and banks, and the overflow seated themselves on the grass around the playing field. Happily, the crowd was sporting and orderly, as well as intensely excited, and not until the very last minute, in which Ireland scored a clever try that did not decide the match, but settled all possible argument, did they allow themselves the luxury of a really serious encroachment.