RUGBY UNION LAWS

Grey River Argus, 24 April 1937, Page 11

RUGBY UNION LAWS

SCORING UNALTERED.

SCRUMMAGE AND PENALTIES

Advice lias been leceived from England of the result of the International Rugby Football Board’s deliberations on proposed alterations to the laws of .Rugby. Several changes have been [made, the scrummage rules again Im. ing among those to be amended. There was a good deal of discussion on th? [various methods of scoring, paritienilarly in the case of the field (or drop, ped) goal, but it was decided that no changes be made in the awaiding o; points. The chane > affecting the scrum, mage rules ate set out, as follows:-— “The player putting in the ball stiatl stand not less than three feet from rhe scrummage, and, with both hands b-low the knee, shall put the ball fairly in at a moderate speed so that it first touches the ground heyo»d one foot of the nearest player of earn front row.”

In it.- 1 present fonn the scruni'niag 1 law states that the ball is fairly in when it has pttssed along a line m;dway between and parallel to the lines of feet of the players forming each front row of’ the scrummage, and .has touched the ground. It is illegal for any player in either front row to raise or advance his foot until the ball is fairly in. NO PUSHING FROM BEHIND. Another important alteration affecta section of a rule which lias been a matter of some concern in New Zealand. The words “unless he is stooping to pick up the ball” have been deleted from' law 19, which deals with charging and obstruction. The playetr- overtaking an opponent also running for the ball must not push him ftom behind.”

A vital change has been made to the law regarding the penalty kick. It has been amended to read as follows: —“A penalty kick must be taken at or behind the mark, on a line through the mark parallel to the touch lines. The kick may be taken by any player of the team, and for a place-kick the kicker may place the ball. In every case fhe kicker’s team, other than the placer for a place-kick, must be behind the ball until tlie kick has been taken. All players of the opposing team must retire to or behind a line parellel to the goal-line, and ten yards from the mark or t-o their own goalline whichever is nearer to the- mark, and the ball must reach this line miles > first played by an opponent, if the mark is in-goal, the lino shall be the goal-line. All players of the opposing team jn'ust remain motionless with their hands by their sides tint.l the ball has been kicked.”

The law regarding a penalty try, as indicated by cablegram recently, now leads; “If a penaltry try is awarded it niu-it be awarded between the posts.” Formerly a penalty try was awarded where the infringement occurred, or. rather, at the spot on the goal-line corresponding with the point in play at which the infringement occurred. 1 REFEREEING CRITICISED. Evidently the referees have .not been giving satisfaction in the Home countries, as the .members of the International Board made an announce.

, nenl expressing their dissatisfaction , with the refereeing in -international matches-. The board decided to send a lettm to each referee on the international panel informing him that it was his

iduty to referee international matches in full accordance with the laws- of Ihe game.