RUGBY RULES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16583, 16 November 1921, Page 3

RUGBY RULES.

—.— — | CONFERENCE DECISIONS, SOUTH AFRICA’S STAND. Particulars of proceedings at ca# conference of Rugby delegates held is ellington at the end of the Springbok tour have been made available for publication (says the Wellington Post ’). The conference was not open to the Press, and it was considered advisable not to announce the decisions until the oversea delegates had an opportunity of reporting personally to their unions. The delegates present were:—Messrs J. M’Leod (chairman), H- Frost and G. W. Slade, representing New Zealand: F. J. Herlihy. New- South Wales; and H. C. Bennett, South Africa. An endeavour was made to reach a definite understanding and agreement on points concerning the government of the game and representation on the controlling body, and the question of amendments to rules was also discussed, the desire being to obtain a mutual understanding between New Zealand and Australia and South Africa. INTERNATIONAL BOARD. Regarding tne recommendation from the Australasian conference that an International Board of Control be set up, with proper status for all countries m which Rugby is played, consideration was given to the point as to the board being Imperial (entirely British'-, international. It was stated by the bontli African delegate (Mr Bennett> that the game was purely a British one, and m making It international there was a danger of unduly exalting it from a game to an international question, which wa a i n itself an undesirable glorification, apart altogether from detracting from the effect of Rugby as a game. Other delegates agreed with tfiis view, with the qualification that the admission of French and American unions to the Board of Control nus£ carry with it representation by them and a voice in the control and policy. A„ decision on the matter was inado as follows: —“(I) The delegates from New South Wales and New Zealand in conference agreed to recommend to their respective unions for submission to the English Rugby Union: ‘That an Imperial Board of Control be estnblishea. The governing bodies of Rngb~ m Great Britain and the# British dominions where Ru-b- i 9 plaved shall be eligible for affiliation. Each affiliated body shall have representation thereon. The objects of the board shall be (a) uniform government of international Rueby football; (b) uniformity of laws and rulings; Co) the betterment and encouragement of the same by exchange of internatir.|j^^our s or by other means The delegate from Sont’T dWriea screes to submit tho, resolution to his board for consideration and to recommend a proposal that representation on the present international Hoard Tie viven to New Zealand, New gouth Wales'and South Africa.” ALTERATIONS TO RULES. The advisability of urgin- amendments to the rules was keenly discussed. The Auckland amendments were explained by Mr Frost, who produced a cop* pf the letter to the English T? :gl,y Union on the subject. He added that the local unions of New Zealand had neen persuaded before the beginning of the present season to see Auckland's point of view, while the New Scut: Wales Union was at one with Auckland on the matter. How the New Zealand unions would act at the next a -_ nuat meeting Tie could not forecast. The position in New South Wales was detailed bv Mr ITerlihv, being much the same as that in Auckland. He explained that it was from the players themselves that the demand came for a change in the rules r.rd 'he greatest difficulty had been ex,v rien-od in keeping then free.; playing tho fact. The difficulty had hern “fLercome for tho time being by the n'a- ova themselve s playing the old rules' for as could he done, in the snirit of tile amendments. KICK-TO-TOrCK RULE. In reply to an inquiry by Mr FroEt, the South African delegate (Mr Bennett) stated that he fully realised that the action of Auckland v.as a sincere desire to save the game. His report to the South African Board would i e to that effect. He added that ho would like to see Auckland cume berk to the old rules, but if, in the evcr.t of no agreement being arrived at with tho English Union on alterations of the ” kick into tourn ’ rule, applications were made by the New Zealand j.n-d New South Walo* Unions fo r permit sion to play the amended rule in local games. South. Africa would not seriously onoose such, implication. All '( can adrise my union,” he sijia, ‘‘'j, I 'hat in the action New Zealand is tak- ' i ' n - ’• considers it is acting in the | r* l -“i'-rests of the game. As I have j . i.-car’y said, our experience in New ; . nni hpar out the report I .mt _.m . Awn circulated as to profes- ■ tionausci being ; ccDant..” ■ v :■ utic.n in (,*!o following form was i -, E r l ' * 1 r ." “U ;; I .ng into touch rule : ' ( T'’' scion of Africa’s approval of t.m request of Australia and New Zealand to bo granted permission to play this mile in the respective countries was tuny discussed, and the attitude of liBennett, representing South Africa minuted as follows : —That while "he could not say on behalf of South Africa, tnat lie anproved ihe alterations, - a felt tnat New Zealand and New South Wales Unions, in malting tho request were acting m what they consider the best interests of the game domesticaily. and that he would recommend Ihe South African Board not to oppose the request of New Zealand and New South Wales that permission to ph.v tn© kick into touch rule be crranted