RUGBY POLITICS

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 30 September 1933, Page 8

RUGBY POLITICS

NO NEED FOR CHANGE DISPENSATIONS OPPOSED “NO CAUSE FOE PANIC'’ Various matters of importance relating to flic Rugby Union game have been exercising the minds of those connected with the control of the game in the various countries, and there has been an airing of views iby others. The turning down of Australia’s request to be permitted to play what is hnown as tlie amended rule has, for instance, accounted for much discussion in Australia, and, in reply to one particular line of argument, a correspondent (H. Gr. Penwill) has submitted to the “Australian Footballer” (a Melbourne publication) another interesting viewpoint. Firstly, I cannot see why Rugby Union, plaved in any other country than England, where the laws and rules were framed, need necessarily bo altered (he writes)- Climatic differences certainly should not afford a legitimate excuse, and should not make any difference. The climatic differences, at least as far as the Union game is concerned, between Australia and South Africa, are hardly worthy of consideration. Yet South Africa has played the game to the letter, and is not agreeable to any change of rules-. Recently she refused to be a party to the Australian request for special dispensations. In addition, I have travelled through Africa from Cape Town to Johanto-esibu-rg and back itbrougb Natal, and in Australia from the West, to Queensland, and' have certainly failed to observe anything .that would warrant a justifiable appeal for special dispensations on the grounds of climatic differences. I have known just as wet a, season here as in England, where f,r,oni November the grounds are sometimes very- much the reverse and hard with frost. Dribbling, however, I consider part and parcel of .the game, and it should be used in any weather, especially by the forwards. I also, with due" respect, suggest that dribbling should be indulged iln by the backs, especially when they are in a .position where .passing is difficult. This would be a welcome change from the monqtony of the present perpetual kicking tactics, and presenting the opponents with the ball. \ ENGLISH BACK PLAY.

The 1930 British team, when in Melbourne at all events, dispelled the idea that they lack back play, for they gave an excellent exhibition of the art. on that occasion, and, generally speaking, the play was of a very.open nature, i orthodox perhaps, but still they flung ! the ball about and gave just that spectacular exhibition that the Melbourneites are accustomed to seeing in their own- code. It is strange that nearly all the games I have seen in Australia have not been of that open back play, Far too much kicking is indulged in, and often without any thought of. findi ing touch before they are seriously I challenged. This I .think a mistake of , tactics, and is partly responsible, l I feel sure., for the lack of interest m the code. It is one thing to have a rule, but it is quite another thing to abuse it. Use it with moderation, chiefly as a defensive weapon, and on windy days, and brighter Rugby. Union football will result. The policy of those coaches who deliberately teach obstruction iu the line-outs and the scrums, is ' also detrimental to the popularity and I the expansion of the game. QUESTION OF CONTROL. \s to the Rugby Union control, is vested in England, they hold the pnvilenes of being the head of the same virtue as New South Wales have conw fn Australia. In both cases they were first in the field.. With reference to the number of delegates from Aus tralia as compared with those repre sen ting Great Britain, distance and expense make it impossible for all Australian unions and clubs, or for tha matter any other Dominion unions, to be represented other .than they are. That the game will be hampered e f'nise the Rugby Union refuses to grant Australia’s request for special dispensations is too ludicrous. .Twickenham

~ 1 can get its sixty thousand and South. -'JB Africa its record crowd, so why not Australia pro rata to its.populations? If the game is played as it was intended, it should be played and the spectators educated to appreciate it under those conditions, instead of introducing half League measures, 1 feel confident that the public will rally as of old to see it. I think also .that the world financial conditions have made a big difference to gates within the last few years, but that has affected other codes than Rugby Union, so there is no causei for panic in that direction. THE RUGBY TRADITION.

The very idea of an amateur body trying to compete with a professional code shows clearly to me that anyone of that opinion has ntot got the right perspective, is not a true Union follower. has not served! his apprenticeship among those schoolboy team® who arc taught to revere the game for the love of it, and to enjoy it® social intercourse and life-time friendships made on the playing fields, where there is.no ■neeid for a mass of legislation to guide them to rugger fame. Neither do the spectators want to, see it; all they want is good, clean, healthy sport, with a friendly and social interest, watching the players trying their best, and enjoying the game. OUTLOOK ALL RIGHT. I am convinced that Rugby. Union! can 1 , and will, be quite as attractive and gain in popularity with the right sort of patrons if played properly, and. what is quite a® essential, governed; by people who understand the Rugby Union viewpoint and insist on it® dbThis is undoubtedly being shown by the Wallabies in South. Africa at present, who have adopted the open game methods, and are playing strictly to Rugby Union laws, and making a success of it both on and off the field. In conclusion, I would say, let us stick to our own code. Even if the opposition can claim some special advantage, why worry about it? Don t pander to people who are used to something else, educate your followers to your ways, and in time, for Roms was not built in a day, you will have a following worth while, and what is more sure, a contingent of players playing- as they should, not for profit, but for the love of the game, which I respectfully submit i® the fundamental principle of the Rugby Union code. In. Melbourne a wonderful opportunity presents itself., if the powers to be can only .see far enough ahead and. govern, accordingly.