THOSE AMENDED RULES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 303, 11 September 1918, Page 6

THOSE AMENDED RULES

x AUCKLAND-WELLINGTON MATCH LOCAL COMMITTEE EXPLAINS. The situation arising out of the Auckland-Wellington .Rugby match having been played under modified rules on Saturday was discussed at last night's meeting of the Management Committee of tho Wellington Rugby Union. At a meeting of tho committee of the New Zealand Union on Monday night it was decided to request tho Wellington Union to hold an inquiry into tho matter immediately, but at last night's, meeting of tho AVellinton Management Committee it was announced that no communication had been received from the New Zealand Union. From what had appeared in the Press, however, members agreed that it was desirablo to explain the position. The chairman, Mr. D. / D. AVeir, opened the discussion by expressing the opinion that the Wellington Union ought to accede 10 the-wishes of tho New Zealand Union and hold an inquiry. Mr. J. N. Millard: I think we ought to make a statement to the effect that tho Wellington Union did not issue any instructions to. the players or the referee in regard to the game. Mr. Weir:,l don't think there is any doubt about that. We all know this union took no part in the matter at all. As far as tho referee and the players were concerned we decided that the game should be played under Rugby Union rules, and as far as wo are concerned it was played under those rules. Mr. Weir added that he had questioned the members of the Management Committee regarding the match having been played with modifications, and none of them bad any cognisance of on agreement having been entered into. As for the referee; Mr. A. C. Kitto, they would not think of interfering with Wm. His duty was to sec that tho match was played according to Rugby Union rules, and no doubt'he did so. statement by the Referee, ■ Mr. Kitto was present at the meeting; and was asked by Mr. AVeir whether he had controlled tho game under Rugby Union rules. ■ "Absolutely, right down to bedrock," i replied Mr. Kitto, who stated in reply to a further inquiry that no one had asked him to agree to an alteration in tho proscribed method of play. Mr. A\ 7 oir: No player requested you to assist in carrying out a modification of the rules? Mr. Kitto: None whatever. The garno was played without wing forwards, which is quite in accordance with the rules. The only unusual thing in connection with the game, Mr. Kitto went on, was that he put the ball into the scrummage. "I did not know that they were not going to charge, or anything else," he said. "As faras I was concerned, there was no imaginary lino at the back of the scrum. Tho line was in tho usual place in the centre of the scrum." , Mr. Millard thought that no decision as to an inquiry'-should be arrived at until the committee received a communication from the New Zealand Union. Mr. Weir considered that they should find out who suggested the innovations. They understood it was purely a mutual' agreement between the two captains. Mr. R! J. M'llwraith; They are quite in order in doing that, are they not? Mr. E. H. Ward: That is just the point. Can they make a mutual agreement? Mr. AV. H. .Donovan: Can this union take any action if the players don't charge in the Potonc-Poneke match next Saturday? Mr. Ward: Yes, we can stop the game (Laughter.) Mr.-'AVeir: That'is something new they (the New Zealand Union) . are putting on to us. (Laughter). Mr. Kitto: Fancy me stopping the game on Saturday, and calling you gentlemen together! (More laughter.) On the motion of Mr. Kitto, it was resolved to ask Nicholls, the captain of the Wellington team, to attend the next meeting of the 'committee and detail what transpired on Saturday. Abiding by the constitution. Referring to a statement made at the mooting''of the New Zealand Union that the members of tho AVcllington Management Committee had refused to allow the-captain- of the AVellington team to meet the members of tho New Zealand Union after the match to discuss the.maimer m which tho game had been played, Mr. AAeir explained that application was made to him to bring the captain of the AVellington team and the manager and captain of the Auckland team into the referee's room to meet the representatives of the New Zealand Union. He went to the Auckland team's shed, but found, it empty, and then proceeded to the Wellington shed, where he found Nicholls. He told ( Nicholls that he mio-lit be wanted, and then went to the committee room to inform the four members present that the New Zealand Management Committee requested the attendance of Nicholls m the next room. The four gentlemen stated that in their opinion it was unconstitutional to allow Nicholls to appear before tho New Zealand Union, therefore ho was not allowed to do so. Mr Millard: The idea was that any. action by the New Zealand Union should bo taken through this union. Nothing could be done unless by- a majority of the members of the A\cL lington committee. A member: There was not a quorum of members, and it would not havo been constitutional. Mr Kitto: That is right. AAe have stuck to /the constitution up to now and wo may as well keep to it. (Laughter.) . • ; . Mr Millard: That is not the point. We would have boon quite distressed if the New Zealand Union had not ' stuck to it. (Laughter.) It seems to bo a hole-and-corner business. Also, they had no right to interview the referee except through us. . Mr AVeir: That is so, because tho referee is part and parcel of our body.. Mr. T. H. Jones (secretary): lhoy stick to tho constitution when it suits them and not otherwise. _ At this stage the discussion terminated.

AMENDED RUGBY RULES

' (To the Editor.) Si r —J am authorised and directed by ■the executive of the W.R.F.U. to make the following statement in reference to Mr. G. C. Facho's letter appearing in your issue of September 10:"Mr. Fache described tho W.H.I 1 .U. s motion of Tuesday, September 3, to play under amended rules in tho Auck-land-Wellington match as 'aiding and abofctin" professionalism.' Tins is absolutely contrary to fact, as my union was actuated by a desire to help Auckland to light professionalism, and the N.Z.R.F.U. (in working against the Auckland Union) is the body which is playing into the bands of the Loaguo and professionalism 1 ." I am also directed to state that Mr. D. 1). Weir did not say at the meeting of tho W.R.F.TJ. on September 3 that he saw tho Athletic Parle Deed of Trust, at tho N.Z.R.F.U.'s meeting on Friday, August 30, nor has be said so at any time sinc9 then.—l ain. etc., T. H. JONES, Secretary, W.R.F.TJ. .