NEW RUGBY RULING

Taranaki Daily News, 17 March 1932, Page 3

NEW RUGBY RULING

FORMATION OF THE SCRUM. PROAHNENT OFFICIALS’ VIEWS. The New Zealand Rugby Union’s proposals regarding the changing of the Dominion’s traditional 2 —3 —2 scrum formation and the abolition of the wingforward were discussed at the annual meeting of the Poneke Rugby Football Club, which was presided over by Air. 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 were Mr. Dean and Mr. W. J. Wallace, the famous 1905 All Black, who is the coach of the Poneke senior team and joint coach of the Wellington and New Zealand representative teams, in addition to being a member of the New Zealand Union’s management committee. Both advocated the change suggested by the controlling body. . Mr. Dean pointed out that, in view of the difficulty which faced New Zealand at home or away, it was desirable that teams meeting overseas teams, whether New Zealand should adopt the same scrum formation as played in other countries. He held that it would be a sporting thing for New Zealand to fall into line with regard to the new rules which come into force this season. Mr. Dean made special reference to the new provision about the ball having to pass the first three feet on either side of the front row of the scrummage. He stressed the point that this would place 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 td each other, Mr. Wallace stressed the fact that ■back play had been greatly affected by the 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. The 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 Rugby Union’s annual meeting.