RUGBY ROLES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 16117, 4 May 1923, Page 8

RUGBY ROLES.

IMPORTANT POLICY DECISION.

NEW TOUCH RULE, MAINTAINED

(Special to tne Ueral.l i WELLINGTON, this day

The outstanding question of Rugby policy, which has caused discussion throughout New Zealand, was settled at the annual meeting 'of the New Zealand Rugby Union yesterday, jTneii it decided by a large majority' tcfVontinue playing the new rule regarding kicking into touch.

''The, time hasi come loi put. our house in order,'* declared Mr. A. '.). Geddcs (Southland, president), in moving the adoption rif the'annual report. "We have been tinkering and experimenting in connection with (he game for three years, hut we are no further ahead than it: 1920. We have been fighting a bogey to a certain extent, and letting the game drift." Mr Gcddes went on to urge (Ik convening of an international conference representative of the Empire, because •ve. were, drifting into a state of affairi in which it was not a battle, of supremacy in Rugby, but! a battle of styles. They should come to a definite understanding (hat tho incoming committee should endeavor to bring about- an international conference, to secure universal interprc lation of (.he laws of the gamer, and alsc professional rules, because some of tin latter were very antiquated. (Hear, hear.) Mr, Frost (Auckland), at a later stage moved! that the kick into touch rule bi operative during the 1923 season. H< remarked that tho discussion need not hi lengthy, as the matter bad' been wed. thrashed out.

Mr. Doig (Southland) seconded tin motion.

Mr. Prendeville (Wellington) moved that the rules of Rugby, as approved b\ the English Union, be followed, with th< provision that the management com nuttee be empowered to: grant any unioi. permission to play the amended' rulci ii it desired. The mover declared thai delegates had made up their minds: therefore ho would not discuss the ques tion. The rule had been played for si:-, months, and everyone knew whether liked it or not. Mr. Prendeville suggested that tho management! committer should have brbiught forward l a proposal, because it was understood that, the mat ter would have to bo reviewed at this annual meeting. The president had agreed that this course would be followed. No doubt, he remarked, tho dele gates had come with their minds made up as to what rule to follow in theii own games, but. in view of the proposed English trip in 1924 we should ati once revert to the old rule; otherwise it Would be found necessary to train the team under the) old rules after iti had been playing the new rule. Air. Wilson (Canterbury) asked what would happen if Canterbury, when play ing Wellington, wanted to utilise) the new rule, hut Wellington would not agree' Mr. Little (Nrlson) remarked that i! there was any argument the union.would! decide among themselves. Mr. D. McKenzie (Wairarapa) said there was room for a compromise, thougl not quite on the lines of tho amendment. Tho great idea in Rugby was to keei the ball in tho field of play. Kicking into touch made a farce of the game, and it was noticeable with the All Blacks that they believed in keeping the ball ii play, attack being tho best defence. The full back alone should have a free hand in respect to kicking into touch, and! to this extent the amendment ought to be modified.

Mr. W. Glenn (Rangitikei) urged the delegates to show a united front. He 1 bought if the new rule was played the 1924 New Zealand!*, team would go to England -with a handicap. It would take a year to pick that team, and he urged that these men he given a. chance to play (he game they Would have to meet! ai Heme.

Mr. Meredyth (Auckland) considered we ought, to study our' game in New Zealand, rather than its effect on England. A more) important factor was our near neighbor, 'New South Wales, which had helped us to build up Rugby at this end of the world'. New South Wale* played! the new rule and liked it, and their public liked it. Surely oiur players selected for England wouldi have sufficient brains to : be able to get back intc using tho touchline within a fortnight. Mr. McLeod (Taranaki) declared that the intention and spirit of the now rule was right, but players, were not playing it in. the right spirit. If the full back was given the option of using the old 'rule, as he was the defensive player, things would be all right. Despite his 'personal views hifl hands wore tied to favor a reversion to tho old rule. Mr. Harris (Otago) said that the opinion in his province was that the new rule had improved Rugby play. He didnot. know whether following the new rule was the cause ei Otago becoming the champion province. (Laughter.) Mr. Blyth (King Country) thought that Mr. McKenzie had!' hit the nail on the head. "Thei new rule wanted, amending so far as the full back wa.s concerned:, and he wished lo know if this could be done,.

The chairman: "If you get permission from the English Rugby Union." He urged delegates that whatever the result, of the vote to follow the majority, A straight-out veto was desirable for or against the new rule. Mr. 'Little (Nelson) stated that he would move that every union, be cmpowered tc play which rule it preferred. Ho did not think provincial results showed any advantage from the new rule Auckland, after playing the new rule for seTefi years, did not come up to Otago, which had'not played the new rule long enough to be spoiled. From his experience of the. new rule in Auckland ho wits convinced it would kill the forwards.

Mr. W. J. Hardh.im (Wellington) considered! they should go< back to the old, rules for the sake of tho game generally. We sbould not do without our great line kickers. The new rule was slowing tip the game, and ruining the forwards, who in an international contest were the backbone of the team. The lenst which should be done if ' the new 'rule was maintained Was that-any province could play the old rule if it preferred. The chairman said he did not think Mr. Little's amendment was constitutional. '

Mr. S. S. Dean said that the English Rugby Union had granted a dispensation to play the new rule, but he could not see bow it could 1 be playedi'or not,' ati the will of any province. ; "■• The chairman 'stated! that in view of this explanation from the chairman of the management committee, ho must rule Mr. Little's amendment out of ordei-. The . rule' must "be uniform throughout the Dominion.

Delegates pointed l out that Auckland played the new rule oh its own account' long before its official adoption. Tho'chairman : We did! not know about 'it. (Laughter.) The question was put to a. formal diviwith the result that tho motion tc play the new rale during 'the present season was carried' by 61 votes to 36. Wellington's motion to permit unions to play the old rule in their own district, by authority of the New Zealand Union, was lost on the Voices. : , ! "Give it all a good go," remarked the president, "and you will .be able to say at the end) of 12 months 'that the rule was some good after all."