FOOTBALL.

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1371, 24 March 1923, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

THAT AMKNDKD ItULK. WELLINGTON FAVOURS REVERSION. 'Plie operation last year of the amended kick into touch rule was roundly criticised at the meeting of the Wellington Rugby Union on Wednesday, when it was decided that a reversion to the old interpretation he sought. “It‘s a case of half Rugby, half League." declared Mr E. Perry. “If New Zealand sends a team to the British Exhibition, how are they going to play with this ‘half-pie’ rule. We have simply come down from the' premier standard to third grade." Voices: Oh, no. Mr Perry: The forwards are standing in the field 'like mummies, while the backs are wasted. Are we going against, the rule at the meeting of the New Zealand Union? I move that we revert to the old rule. It the operation of the amended rule continued as it had been doing, asserted Mr ,1. Moffat, it. would be doing nothing more or less than prostituting the game of Rugby. Auckland not so long ago had transgressed the rules, hut the parent authorities had “winked their . eye" at the action. The speaker urged that as far as Wellington was concerned determination should be shown that they desired to play under the rules as laid down by the constitution of the English Union. Mr A. Jackson moved as an amendment that the delegates to the New Zealand Union be instructed to speak on behalf of the reversion to the ok. rules, but that they abide by the decision of the rest of New Zealand. "1 move this motion,” he added, "as a method of trying to dismiss the matter entirely. We can talk a lot of gas about it and not much good can be done—it is a ceaseless argument." “Very sensible and very sane," commented Mr V. P. Calcinai. “The deterioration in play last year may not wholly he attributed to the rule; the players might not be as good as they used to be, and they might not play with the same spirit. There is no doubt, though. Ibai tinkering with the rules Ims altered the standard ot play.” The operation of the rule was condemned by Mr ,J. Tillyard, who characterised the football which resulted as being “rotten.” Mr A. ,T. Griffiths held that want of training, good fellowship and discipline were responsible for the downfall last year. I-Ie regretted to see Wellington blaming the rule, since if Rugby were played as it should be they would tint! themselves as ne;k: its it was possible to be to I be amended rule. Mr A. De Clifton was of opinion that the rule could be carried out if it were given a chance. Dr P. F. McEvedy: It is most amusing to hear the advocates of the rule trying to establish the fact that the - deterioration was not due to its opera ti.on. Previously we heard that the falling off in play was due to the old rules, and now not to the new rule. I think the chickens are coming home to roost. . . . T would be pleased to see Wellington revert to the old rules. Colonel G. F. C. Campbell pointed out that difficulty would arise when New Zealand teams were matched with representatives playing under the English rules.

After further discussion Mr Perry’s motion was carried, but a deadlock ensued when it was explained that the motion would commit the union in a decision directly apart from any the parent body might come to. Finally it was decided, on the motion of Mr J. Preiuleville, that it was the desire of the Wellington Union that a reversion he made to the old rules.