Rugby Welcome Change In Hooking Law'

Northern Advocate, 2 April 1946, Page 4

Rugby Welcome Change In Hooking Law'

Kugby football players, referees and spectators will'welcome the news of at least one or two changes that have been effected in the rules cf the game. This applies to the hooking laws in the set scrums, which have been a bugbear in the past and definitely unsatisfactory. The amendment, which is contained in the 1945-46 handbook “Laws of the Game,” issued by the English Union, was brought before the Whangarei Rugby Referees’ Association at its annual meeting last night in a notification from the New Zealand Union.

It provides that the far foot of the second' player of each front row, and the feet of the player beyond, may be raised and advanced as soon as the ball has left the hands of the player putting it in. No other, foot may be raised or advanced until the ball has been touched by one of these feet; The previous rule stipulated that no foot might be raised until the ball had touched the ground, and there was always trouble with front-row men lifting in an endeavour to beat the opposition for possession. Referees were forced to order extra scrums and to penalise hookers and their supports for frequent infringements and this had the undesirable effect of slowing up the game. Whangarei referees last night welcomed the change in the rule, and are iooking forward to its application when the season commences. The altered rules are to take effect immediately. The other alteration in the rules affects law No. 27 and does away with the option of taking scrums instead of iine-outs. The ball must now be thrown in from touch. EXPECTS 25 REFEREES Rugby in Whangarei and district seems assured of being well served this season. The association had an attendance of 15 at last night's meeting, 10 new members were elected, and it is expected that at least 25 referees vVill be available to officiate each Saturday during the season. The election of officers resulted:— President, Mr H. Jones (re-elected); vice-president. Mr F. Williams; secre-tary-treasurer. Mr H. Bowman froelected); auditor, Mr R, 5. Arneil; delegate to North Auckland Association. Mr L. G. Miller and Mr F. Williams; delegate to Whangarei Union, Mr Duncan Rcss: grading committee. Messrs. H. Gumming. S. Fulljames and H. Mabbett. The funds of the association are in a healthy position.