“SPOILER OF DACK PLAY"

Evening Star, Issue 21077, 14 April 1932, Page 9

“SPOILER OF DACK PLAY"

ABOLITION OF WING FORWARD [PIB USITBD PHESS ASSOCUTIOK.] WELLINGTON, April 14.-. “ The alterations to the laws of the game, particularly to rule 15, which deals with scrummage, have given your. Management Committee considerable thought during the past year, and they, submit for the consideration of dele, gates whether the time is not opportune to forsake our traditional 2-8-2 scrummage formation, with the wing forward, and adopt the three-man frontrow scrum and abolish the wing forward from our game. We are the only Rugby-playing country in the world which plays the recognised wing forward, and it is felt for the sake of uniformity, that we should take the step.” .. , In the above words, the president of the New Zealand Rugby Union (Mr S* S. Dean) referred to what has become one of the most controversial matters in the game this season in his presidential address at the annual meeting of delegates to-day. “By doing so, our mans, will be freatly increased overseas,” continued tr Dean. “ There is no doubt that our forward is a- spoiler of back play* and deterioration in our back play is* in no small measure, due to the attention paid to the opposing inside backs by the person occupying this position on the field of play. lam sure that* in bringing tho recommendation forward for your consideration, management committees are actuated only py the welfare of the game,.”