A RUGBY EXPERIMENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 30 April 1927, Page 5

A RUGBY EXPERIMENT

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

LONDON, 10th March

At the recent Imperial Rugby conference a promise was given that the rule forbidding the kicking directly to touch from outside one's own 25 would bo tested. It Ims already been adopted by New Zealand, and they are anxious that it should be observed generally. In our conservatism there has always been a prejudice against it, and, when it was tried the other day, it was condemmed almost before play began. At any rate, players and lookers-on were eager to find the flaws even if they were prepared, to see the good points. It has always been contended that it would make the game too fast, and that the amateur, with his lack of opportunity for systematic training, would not be able to live in it. This was the conclusion which was come to after the trial, and, so far as England is concerned, it is expected that there will be a solid vote, against the proposal. But- Wales may take a different view. The Welsh Rugby Union is hard hit by the competition of the Soccer and Rugby League clubs, and it is insisted that, if the amateur game is not to lose further ground, it must, be made as spectacular as possible. There would bo an improvement in this respect if kicking to touch from one's own 25 were prohibited. In regard to the. plea that the game would be made too fast, it is obvious that there are limits to speed, and, moreover, that there are two teams and that one can only be as fast as the other will allow them to be. But in England the new rule has had a poor reception. If. would, however, be a mistake to condemn it on one trial. Such a decision would be unfair to New Zealand, and those other countries who wish to adopt it. At present, however, no furl her tests have been arranged. Presumably thev will be held by Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, but there should at least be one more in England.