RUGBY CONTROL

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20891, 24 August 1939, Page 12

RUGBY CONTROL

LAWS OF SCRUMMAGE PROPOSED ALTERATIONS (By Telegrapn.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Wednesday I The executive of the New Zealand Rugby Union to-night received from the English Rugby Union a number ; of suggestions for alterations to the < laws governing the scrummage. The j alterations, which had been suggested by a sub-committee of the International Board and will be considered at the March meeting of the board in 1940, were to the effect that when a scrummage is ordered or taken the referee shall award to the team not 1 responsible for the stoppage of play the right of putting in the ball. If in doubt he shall award the right to the team in whose half of the ground the , scrummage is to be formed. ; For an infringement between the 25 yards line and within 10'yards of the touch line, the suggestions continue, j a scrummage shall take place 10 yards from the touch line on a line parallel to the goal lines through the place where the infringement occurred. It is illegal for more than three players to form either front row of a scrummage before the ball has been put in. Referees shall not inflict a penalty for a breach of this law unless siich breach is wilful or persistent. Dangerous Practice It is illegal after a scrummage has . 1 been formed for any player to add . j himself to the front row before the ! ; ball lias been put in. Referees should ' | stop the dangerous practice of players , ! forming down soenc distance apart > j and pushing together, and s£cal with it > under law 3 i (a 3) (e). * i The ball shall be put in without I j delay. Any delay caused by the player , i with the ball waiting for any of his j I team to join the scrummage must be , treated as wilful waste of time. The , player putting in the hall shall stand not less than one yard from the 1 scrummage and with both hands below the knee shall put Hie hall fairly in at a moderate speed so that it first touches the ground beyond one foot of the nearest player of each front row. Ball Fairly In The hall is fairly in when if has been put in along a line midway be- ! tween and parallel to Hie lines of the ! feet of the players forming each front * row of Hie scrummage and has touched i the ground. The bail shall bo put into s j Hie scrummage again if it enters and comes out at either side between the . 1 lines of the feet of the players form- , ing each front row or between the ! feet of either of the outside players j of each front row on the side in which ? I the ball has been put in. It is illegal I for Hie foot of any player in either 1 : front row to touch the ball until it is > fairly in. ■ ! Tiie far foot of the second player ’ of each front row on the side on r !-which the ball is being put in and the I : feet of the player beyond may be l | raised and advanced as soon as the J j bail lias left the hands of the player i putting it in. No other foot may he

raised or advanced. As soon as the ball has left the hands of the player putting it in no other foot may be raised or advanced until the ball has been touched by one of these feet. It is illegal for any player to prevent, the hall from getting fairly into the scrummage. Throw-In From Touch In any scrummage it is illegal for any player to return the ball into the scrummage by hand or foot after it has come in. It is illegal for any player to handle the ball, pick it up by the hands or legs or intentionally fall or kneel while the ball is in a scrummage except as provided for in law 20 (B) 3. It is illegal for any player lying on the ground to interfere with the ball in any way. In the event of an infringement a penalty kick shall be awarded at that place. The ball must be brought into play at the place where it went into touch by throwing it into the field of play so as to alight at least five yards from and at right angles to the touch line. If tiie hall when thrown in from touch does not alight as above a scrummage shall be formed 10 yards from the place where it went into touch on a line parallel to the goal lines. The law as to advantage does not apply. The suggestions were referred to the rules sub-committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union. OTAGO’S DECISIVE WIN MITUIIELL AT TOP OF FORM (Special to Times) AY 11 AN GAR El, AY edne sd a y Outclassing North Auckland in practically all departments of the game, Hie Otago touring Rugby football team secured a decisive win by 25 points to 13 in Hie match played before about 3000 spectators at Wliangarei today. The afternoon was fine and the ground in fair condition. The uistgo backs completely outplayed their opponents, and .Mitchell, playing at Hie top of his form, was responsible lor the majority of the movements that resulted in scores. Playing his first game as fullback, Black, the South Island winger, gave a faultless exhibition, his play being outstanding.