FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 16, 14 October 1908, Page 11

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY. At the I’onsonby District Football Club’s smoke concert, W. Cunningham announced his retirement from the game. Cunningham, or “Cunny,” as he is familiarly called, is one of the best-known players in the Dominion, and in his position of lock-forward it is doubtful if a player his equal—certainly none better —has ever donned a jersey. The place in the serum occupied by the retiring player, is certainly not one that gives a man much chance to shine in the open, but “Cunny” was an exception, and his work in the open and line out, was sufficiently good to earn him representative honours, outside of his scrumming. It was in 1899 that Cunningham first represented Auckland, and, with the exception of 1903, has represented his province continuously since then, so that he has caps for no less than nine years, and, with the exception of A. Braund, who holds the record with ten years’ service, is one of the oldest representatives of the province. In addition, he was a member of the famous “All Blacks” combination. Unless something turns up to make him change his mind before next season, Cunningham’s retirement, added to that of Gillett, will be the severest loss Auckland has sustained for some time. Improving Rugby. A general meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union was held in Wellington to discuss the laws of the game, and the rules as to professionalism. Mr. J. Hutchison (Otago) moved, “That in the opinion of this union the time has arrived when it is imperatively necessary that the laws of Rugby football shall be amended.” The motion was amended by the deletion of the words “imperatively necessary,” and in this form w’as carried. Mr. Hutchison then went on to move the proposed alterations of the laws of the game. The first was the abolition of the charge in the case of a free kick or kick at goal. After discussion, this Mas adopted. Mr. Hutchison proposed a motion providing for the imposition of a penalty upon any player who shall cross an imaginary line drawn through the back of the scrummage on his own side while the ball is in the scrum. The motion was carried. The next proposal, moved by Mr. J. W. Wilson, was that the side be reduced to 14 players. The motion was thrown out on the voices without discussion. The proposal to pay touring players for loss of time was defeated. Amendments agreed to were that the referee should place the ball in the scrum, that a player brought to the ground should be allowed to pass immediately, that the game should be played in four - 20-minute spells. The management committee was instructed to reviqp the rules in accordance with the amendments, and to invite the co-operation of New South Wales and Queensland. N.Z. RUGBY UNION COUNCIL MEETING. (By a Delegate.) Tire desire to amend the rules under Which amateur Rugby is played in New Zealand has for a long time existed. Those anxious for the improvement had not hitherto gathered sufficient strength, while the sticklers for the old order were, though small in numbers, influential and potent. Loyalty to old traditions personified in the English Rugby Union was paramount with the latter. At several annual meetings of the N.Z.R.U. Council, the discontent and unrest prevalent in football centres in this Dominion were voiced by delegates; particularly by those representing Wellington. The knowledge thus gained, and the intercourse and exchange of ideas derived at those meetings by the delegates were incalculable. In a very large measure the present stage of evolution in the game may bo attributed to that important factor. The introduction of another code of rules was also a ®?utributory cause. In the domain of political and social reform, old customs

die hard, and new ones are of slow growth. So it is with our national pastime. The refAmers were not to bo denied, and important events rapidly succeeded each other, until they culminated in the memorable meeting in Wellington last Thursday, October Bth. It marked an epoch in our Rugby football. Ardent enthusiasts probably expected more from its deliberations, but they must admit that a distinct gain has been won. More remains to be done. It should, however, be borne in mind that those who strenuously opposed the present innovations are honestly convinced that a backward step has been taken—to use their own words: “the game has been spoiled.” To demonstrate to them this mistaken idea is our bounden duty, and next season it is proposed to do this. It will, therefore, be apparent that we must advance steadily and warily-, while not alienating the support and sympathy of those who love amateur Rugby football equally as'well as we do. On the other hand, hasty legislation is generally imperfect, with its attendant irritating results.

To the Otago Union every credit is due in having taken the initiative, and in successfully piloting the amendments in the rules standing to its credit on the order paper. There was one amendment standing in Otago’s name which its representatives but lukewarmly supported, viz., monetary allowance to players for loss of time. Only one of its five delegates supported this far-reaching proposal, which was left to the Auckland delegates to sustain. So pronounced was the hostility to it by the delegates that it was lost on the voices, the loud chorus of “noes” being most startlingly pronounced. Six of the ten proposals to amend the rules of play were carried, each one of which tends to the betterment of the game. The discussion and treatment of the foregoing were most exhaustive, and lasted over midnight. At this stage of the proceedings a most extraordinary thing was attempted. A Wellington delegate rose and actually proposed that the whole of the new amendments be sent back to the various unions for consideration by- the players. This audacious move found a seconder in one of the members of the Management Committee of the N.Z.R.U. Both the proposer and seconder had been throughout the evening most hostile. In Parliamentary procedure, it was tantamount to moving that the “bill be read a second time this day six months.” The care and attention bestowed on the preparation of the amendments; the cost to the unions, and the inconvenience and loss to the delegates in travelling hundreds of miles to attend the meeting, were, to these gentlemen, of no concern. Ostensibly, in the interests of the players, the real object was to kill and nullify the whole work. Besides, it was an insult to the intelligence of the supreme controlling body. The attempt failed miserably. Well might the Wellington “Evening Post” say that- “the improvements were made in spite of the Wellington delegates.” After some little difficulty, the Auckland delegatee obtained the chairman’s permission to move that, “In the event of a conference of the Queensland, New South Wales, and New Zealand unions to consider the amended laws of the game, that New Zealand shall be represented at the conference by- one representative of the Management Committee of the N.Z.R.U., and one delegate each from the North and South Islands.” The motion w-as carried, and its importance is quite manifest. Summed up, the alterations, which come into force next season, mean a free kick or a kick at goal the charge is disallowed; in the line-out the ball must be thrown in not less than five yards, which must open up the play; no player, outside the serum, shall advance beyond an imaginary line drawn through the back row of the scrummage (this should effectually eliminate the wrangling often seen by opposing wingers); a player may pass the ball if on the ground, even should the ball touch the ground, provided he does it immediately, which is an undoubted improvement. Teams are to change over after twenty minutes’ play, though the spell will only lie allowed after forty minutes’ play-. This minimises the undue advantage obtained iu winning the toss. The referees

came in for severe strictures from several speakers, who accused them of making the game slow and unattractive, owing to their interpretations of the existing rules. Both players and supporters of the game will readily see the advantages sure to be gained as the result of the deliberations of the meet? ing of the N.Z.R.U. Council last week.