INTO LINE

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 106, 7 May 1931, Page 5

INTO LINE

KULES OF ETJGBY

SOUTH AFRICA DECIDES

According to latest informatioji by mail from England, the authorities there appeared-to have been under the impression that the ultimatum from the English Rugby Union regarding the rules, of Bugby football had been accepted by New Zealand long before the matter was settled by delegates at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union. At the end of March the South African Rugby Board had decided to fall into lino with the Home unions, and this announcement, together, with the belief that New Zealand had taken similar action, gave rise to the opinion that the way had been cleared for representation for the Dominions on the International Rugby Board. In commenting upon the matter a London paper stated: "What will now happen is that tho Dominions will bo given reasonable representation on the International Board. This they should have had years ago, as wo have pointed out time and again.'' News of South Africa's decision was contained in the following cabled niessago from Cape Town on .tho-Ist April: "Confirming the resolution passed at its annual meeting last year, the South African Rugby Board yesterday decided to fall into line with the four Home unions regarding the rules governing, international matches. This follows the lead for Empire-wide unanimity in rules, given by the International Board in London." The message also stated that Mr. A. J. Pionaar, president of the South African Rugby Board, would accompany the Springboks on their tour of England. A point of particular interest in tho South African Board's decision is ■ that it refers to the rules governing international matches, and in this connection it■ is worthy of note that, New Zealand had 'previously complied with the International Board's rules so far as international. matches were concerned. ' • ON A COMMON BASIS. The. following comment is made by "Sporting Life" (England): "One of the .most important happenings in, the history of Rugby football occurred when tho South African Rugby Union decided to fall into line with tho four Home unions regarding the, rules governing international • matches. Tho necessity for unanimity in tho Rugby code of laws was recently accepted by New Zealand, so .that, now the whole of tho Empire unions will meet in the future on a common basis, and without those irritating discussions as to how the game shall be played. "To those of us-who have been working for years to obtain this unanimity —and tho 'Sporting Life' for tho last ten years has ( strenuously advocated this ideal—the decision of tlie South African Union is welcome ind_eed. The only regrettable fact is that it did not come during the lifetimes of the late Sir Rowland Hill, for there has been no man who worked so much in season and out for unanimity as did that 'G.0.M.,' who spent a lifetimo in the service of tho game he so loved. "There is little doubt that such an agreement would have been arrived at much sooner had it not been for 0110 small section of the International Board. J?or some extraordinary reason the unions of New Zealand, South. Africa, and New South Wales were regarded by these peculiar people as being composed of men who were desirous of introducing innovations into the game which were contrary to accepted principles. Timo and again prominent men connected with tho Now Zealand and South African Unions have assured us that there was never any. idea, in their minds of flirting with pseudo-amateurism; that they were equally concerned with us in preserving the purity of the sport; but it was all to no avail.-'Rugger'men in the Dominions.were 'suspect' hi the minds of these people, and tho position appeared hopeless. ; * NEW ZEALAND'S. CASE. "Two New Zealanders—C. J. Wray, who represents his country on the Rugby Union, and Sam WVilson, of Christehurch, who visited us in 1924 —repeatedly urged the International Board to view matters, so far as the Dominions were concerned, in a spirit of friendliness; Both of them not infrequently spoke or wrote to us on the matter, and pointed out how simple it would be for all the Empire unions to fall into line, if only thoso overseas were given the least encouragement. They realised, as did the whole of tho Rugby-playing population of New Zealand and South Africa, that they always ;had the sympathy of the 'English' Union ia the matter; but they almost despaired as a. result of, tlio intolerant attitude of other sections of the British Isles. "The Welsh and Irish Unions 'were never antagonistic in the least to an agreement with the Dominions, as long as they were prepared to conserve the traditions of the game; but the Scottish Union could not or, perversely, would not believe in tho integrity of sportsmen in the far-flung centres of the Empire. It was altogether regrettable, but the gesture of ,the South African Union has automatically settled all differences. >>-..■• . - ■ : '