"AMENDED" RUGBY RULES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 157, 28 March 1919, Page 8

"AMENDED" RUGBY RULES

THE POSITION DISCUSSED

VIEWS OF WELLINGTON UNION

Some attention was giveu at last night s anuiml meeting of the Wellington Rugby Football Union to the much-discussed qusetion of "amended" rules and suggested alterations to the laws of the fame. Mr. E. I', riendevillo (Old Boy 3) moved that the delegates to the N.Z.I!.I'M", be instructed to disagree with tho proposed alterations, additions, and amendments to the rules of tho N.Z.R.F.U. Ho thought that adoption of the amendments would mean severance from (lie English Hugb.v Football Union. .Mr. T. II ilrooks (Wellington) seconded tho motion "

Mr. J. N\ Millard (Wellington College) pioposed an amendment ill the direction of allowing the delegates to have a iree hand. . The amendment was not seconded. Colonel 0. F. C. Campbell (Athletic) tnisted that the delegates would be instructed to disagree with any movement which might bring about a separation from the English Rugby Union. They should slick to the Old Country, and not become a separate body. If they wished they might try to secure improvements, but tney should not adopt it policy which wculd lead to severance from the English Rugby Union. .Mr. E. 0. Hales (.Athletic) disagreed with Colonel Campbell on the question of tying down delegates to any lixcu policy. If the union had no conndcnco in tlie way its delegates would act then they should ask them to r(^ign. .Mr. J. H. Lviiskey (L'etonq) thought that the New Zealand Union, ought to be allowed to modify any rules if it thought

The motion was carried. Mr. H. Hack t.Solwyn) proposed., rncl it wns approved, that, the Now Zealand V'nicn should bo asked to obtain implied representation on the English Rugby Union. •• The meeting then proceeded to consideration of the various suggested alterations to the. laws of the game, the nrst of which was that, the "wing' forward should be abolished. Colonel Campbell sn id the obstruction tactics of "wins" players had brought disrepute on the game. ■ It was decided to oppose the proposals to abolish the. "wing* forward; to permit absolute free-kicks and kicks at goalfront penalties and and that a T&ferce should put the ball into the scrum on all occasions. The suggestion that the advantage rule should apply to "line-mil" play, was acColonel Campbell thought it would be a good idea if kicks at goal after tries had been . obtained were always taken from the same relative position of goal lino to goal posts. The kicks should be taken from a spot, half-way between the goal posts and tho corner flag. The suggestion was referred, to .tno Management Committed for consideration. The position regarding the reinstatement of Northern Union players xas briefly dismissed, and it was resolved to leave consideration of the matter to the delegates to the Now Zealand. Union.