NEW RUGBY RULING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21131, 14 March 1932, Page 12

NEW RUGBY RULING.

FORMATION . OF THE SCRUM. ADVOCATES FOR CHANGE. PROMINENT OFFICIALS' VIEWS. [by tei.Eoim I'ft. —own ron respondent.] WELLINGTON, Saturday. The Now Zealand Eugby Union's proposals regarding (lie changing of (lie Dominion's traditional 2—3—2 scrum fornia.tion and the abolition of the wing-forward were discussed at the annual meeting of the Porieke Kughy I'oolball Club, which was presided over by Mr. S. S. Dean, president of the. New Zealand Union and chairman of the union's management committee. .Among those who expressed views on the matter wero Mr. Dean and Mr. W. J. Wallace, the famous 1905 -All Black, who is Iho coach of the Poneke senior team and joint, coach of the Wellington and New Zealand representative teams, in addition to being a. member of (ho New Zealand Union's management committee. Roth advocated the change suggested by the controlling body. Mr. Dean pointed onf, thai, in view of (he difficulty which faced New Zealand teams meeting overseas teams, whether at, homo or away, it was desirable (hat New Zealand should adopt tho same scrum formation as played in other countries. He held that it would be a sporting thing for New Zealand to fall into lino with regard (o the new rules which come into force this season. Mr. Dean made special leferenco to the new provision about tho ball having to pass (he first three foet on either side of tho front row of the scrummage. lie stressed the point that this would pi aco the 2—3—2 formation at a distinct disadvantage when opposed to a 3—2—3 formation, although it would not be so bad in cases where two 2—3—2 formations were opposed to each other. M r . Wallace stressed the fact that back play had been greatly affected by tho activities of the wing-forward. He was strongly of the opinion that the abolition of the wing-forward was necessary, with a view to improving the standard of inside backs, and thereby improving back play generally. Tho meeting indicated that it was favourable to the New Zealand Union's recommendations being endorsed, although it was decided to give a free hand to delegates to the Wellington Bugby Union's annual meeting.