STAY ON THE FIELD!

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 70, 24 March 1933, Page 9

STAY ON THE FIELD!

ENGLISH UNION'S EDICT

RUGBY HALF-TIME

An ultimatum from the Bugby Football Union (England) some time ago created much, concern in New Zealand football circles, largely because .it meant the discontinuance of customs which had grown up with the game here. There was also perturbation in Australian Eugby Union ■ circles, and even in South Africa it was felt that action was desirable in an endeavour to have removed one restriction brought about by the order from the Home authorities. New Zealand had consented to a change of formation to provide for the elimination of the wing-forward and the placing of throe men in the front row of the scrummage, and an assurance was given that the Dominion would conform, to the laws of the- game as laid down by the International Board. The order for the removal of old customs, however, came as a distinct surprise, and it was felt that steps should be taken to permit of players leaving the field at half time, and of injured players being replaced, as had been the practice in New Zealand.

Eventually it was decided, after a special meeting of New Zealand delegates, to appeal strongly for permission to replace injured players. Representations on the other matter wore not made, since the consensus of opinion was that replacement of injured, players was of. vital importance, and it was thought.that a strong case in this direction might have satisfactory results. It has since been reported unofficially, though, by the chief executive officer of a provincial Eugby Union, that New Zealand's request for replacements has met with the English Union's approval, but there is also a denial from, an official source in England that this is' the position. By pure coincidence, as previously stated in "The Post," two other overseas Eugby countries made separate representations on other matters of particular interestto New Zealand. Australia sought permission to play the amended kick-into-touch rule, and South Africa asked that players be allowed to leave the field at half-time. It has been reported that Australia's application was unsuccessful, arjd this was not unexpected. However, no official announcement from headquarters in New Zealand and, Australia has been made- as: to the result of the .separate representations. " . ,

With regard to South Africa's case there is a definite announcement. Advice from Cape Town states that "the English Kugby Union has declined to agree to the proposal of the South African Eugby Board that playors in South Africa should be permitted to leave the field at half-time owing to special conditions." The proposal submitted to the English Union was: "Conditions in South Africa are such that we find it very undesirable to keep players on the field at half-time, and beg the English Union to do its utmost to get the International Board to rescind this rule or to grant exemption." To this proposal tho English Union secretary replied:—"My committee are satisfied that there is no necessity for the practice of the whole of the teams leaving the field at halftime, except in special circumstances. If the conditions at the time render it desirable for the teams to leave the field the leferee has the power to give permission to all or any of tho players to do so."

Tho rule provides that the referee "must not allow any player to leave the playing enclosure without his permission, which, should only be granted in special circumstances."