SCRUM FORMATION

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 141, 16 June 1932, Page 11

SCRUM FORMATION

UNIFORMITY DESIRED

'A GENTLEMAN'S AGREEMENT'

EUGBY CONTEOL

Information that at least one Rugby union had not departed from the previously recognised New Zealand formation of two players in the front row and a■■ wing-forward-was contained in a letter received at the mooting of the New Zealand Bugby Union's management committee last evening from the secretary of the Hawkes Bay Eugby Union. Tho need for uniformity was stressed, and this was supported iv discussion after the reading of the letter, Mr. S. S. Dean expressing the view that those unions not adopting'the thrcc-in-tlie-front-row scrummage with tho abolition of the wing-forward were not acting in the spirit of the decision made at tho annual meeting of delegates, to the New Zealand Eugby Union. The meeting last night was attended by Messrs. S. S. Dean (in. tho chair), A. C. Kitto, E. S. Hylton, F. Glasgow, "W. J. Wallace, H. S. Leith, K. Tahiwi (Maori Advisory Board representative), and A. -E. Ncilson (secretary). The letter from the Hawkes Bay Union's secretary stated:—''l am directed by my union to inquire- what steps are -being taken to see that all unions are adopting, the new scrum rule of three men in the front row together with the abolition of the wing-forward. My union is informed by its delegates that the : new. rulo^ was agreed upon at the annual meeting of the N.Z.R.U. and now find that one union at least is not adopting.it. My union's desire in this, matter, is to s'eo that the agreement arrived at for uniformity in the scrums and abolition of the wing-for-ward is actually being carried out, and is not to be taken as a protest against any particular union.'.' "It is a gentleman'^agreement," remarked Mr. Glasgow when the letter from Hawkes Bay was read.

, The chairman: ■. " Yes. All that we can ask them is to carry out the terms agreed upon at the annual meeting. In our reply wo might suggest that if they 'will, let/us know '■'. which union is 'not adhering to the agreement we will take steps to make representations to them.'' Mr. A. C. Eitto: "We cannot force them." Members: ''No." It was agreed to .reply on, the lines suggested by the ( chairman. PROPOSED COMMISSION} Advice was received from the Now South Wales Eugby Union's management committee that it was recommending its council to take action in regard to the proposed Eugby Football Commission on much tho same lines as those taken by New Zealand. The recommendation was: "That-this union inform the Eugby Football Union that we cannot sco our way clear to accept the proposed commission in its present form, and at the same time to indicate that until such time as something more substantial is offered the Dominion unions in the way of representation on the_ International Board, or on an Imperial Advisory Board with reasonable powers, it prefers to continue affiliation with the Eugby Football Union.'? HALF-TIME AND REPLACE- ■ MENTS. "I know it is a pretty ticklish thing, but it is just about time we did something,", remarked Mr. Glasgow, in urging that further action bo taken in the matter of players leaving the field at half-time. "I think the public should know the position.'! . Further discussion on tho matter was taken in committee. .. ■ - The Canterbury Eugby. Union made a request for copies, of all correspondence received from the English Eugby Union concerning players leaving the field at half-time, as the question was to be considered at the half-yearly meeting of delegates to the1 union. It was decided that the president of the the Canterbury Eugby Union be advised confidentially of certain information in the hands of the New Zealand Eugby Union. A ruling was asked by the Nelson Eugby Union as to whether a team is entitled to take on a player to replace an injured one when the .opposing captain will not give his consent. No arrangements had been made in respect to replacements before the match started. It was decided to* reply that under the circumstances tho player'could not be replaced. OTHER BUSINESS. The North Otago Union wrote accepting tho offer of a grant of £60 towards the cost of a tour of the Seddon Shield districts. It was expected that the tour would commence on the 3rd August. On the recommendation of the Finance Committee it was decided to make the same grants as last year for school football, and that next year a large supply of balls be procured with a view to distributing the balls in lieu of cash grants. , Decision on points regarding the rules were confirmed, among them being the following:—(1), In a 3-4-1 scrummage is' the ball out of scrummage when it is. clear of the feet of the second row forwards?— Yes. (2) When the,.ball; is cloar.of tho feet of the second row forwards can'-the back row man, detach himself from the scrummage and pick up tho ball without retiring behind it?— Yes. (3) Can the half-back play .the ball as in tho position in question (1)? —Yes.