RUGBY FOOTBALL

Southland Times, Issue 21607, 20 January 1932, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

THE WING FORWARD ABOLITION FAVOURED DECISION OF N.Z. UNION (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, January 19. “It is the considered opinion of the, committee that to put ourselves on side as far as the outside world is concerned, We should agree not to play the wing forward and to adopt the 3-2-3 scrum formation,” remarked Mr S. 8. Dean, president and chairman of the New Zealand-Rugby Football Union in making an important statement regarding (he proposal that New Zealand should fall into line with all other Rugby playing countries in adopting the eight scrum and seven back formation. The change would mean the jettisoning of the wing-forward.

Mr Dean said that the management committee of the New Zealand Union during the past few months had given careful consideration to various phases of the game. “It must be conceded that the present day wing-forward is a destructive force co far as attacking play is concerned and it is felt that if the position is abolished, our inside back play would greatly improve and it would add to the attractiveness and pleasure of the game to both players and public. The position has been and always will be a cause of friction and criticism, not only of the person playing in the position, but of the team itself whenever it journeys overseas. We have given our assurance to the Rugby Football Union (England) that we will adopt the laws of the game as laid down by them. Let us go further and willingly adopt the formation which all other countries play. New Zealand will lose no prestige from a playing standpoint and from a sporting point of view our action would meet with approval and satisfaction by other Rugby playing countries.” All the affiliated unions of the New Zealand Rugby Union have been circularized to that effect and the matter would be subject to discussion at the annual meeting, of the New Zealand Rugby , Union. BRITISH RUGBY NEED FOR SOLID SCRUMMAGING. (Rec. 7 p.m.) London, January 18. “Get back to more solid scrummaging,” was the advice to British Rugby by the Springboks’ manager, Mr T. Pienaar, at the conclusion of the tourr The Springbolts’ triumphant progress was due chiefly to their magnificent forwards. Mr Pienaar was of the opinion that there would be a general improvement in back play if referees were more strict in curbing winging forwards.