RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15341, 2 October 1917, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

PROPOSED REVISION OF RULES. A special meeting of the council of the New Zealand Rugby Union is to be held at Wellington on Friday next to consider the New Zealand Union’s relations with the English Rugby Union, the necessity for a revision ■ f the rules, particularly as regards professionalism, and the laws of tne game, the present position of local Unions financially, and suggestions from the various Unions for the betterment of the game as a whole, also to consider the motions, notice of which has been given by the Canterbury Rugby Union. The proposals of the Canterbury Rugby Union were outlined in these columns some time ago, and deal with the rules as to professionalism, which the Canterbury Union desires shall be more in keeping with local requirements than at present. Direct representaUon of New Zealand on the English Union and on the International Board is also asked for by the Canterbury Union, and various alterations in the laws of theygame, in regard to (1) knocking on and throwing forward: that provision be made that a player may recover a knock on by catching the ball before it touches the ground. (2) That clause k of Rule 11 be altered to read: Not in a scrummage crosses an imaginary line drawn through the back rank of his own side of (he scrummgae and parallel with the goal line. (3) Line-out play: That in line-out play the advantage rule be strictly applied. (4) That the delegates present shall have the right to suggest any alteration to the laws of the game other than those brought forward by the Canterbury Union. 1 A number of suggestions by a subcommittee appointed by the Auckland Rugby Union to consider the revision of the laws of the game have also been made and will be discussed by the council. The president of the Wanganui Union, Mr George Spriggens, who is also president of the New Zealand Union, leaves on Thursday to attend the Council meeting.