THE RUGBY GAME

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 272, 13 August 1919, Page 9

THE RUGBY GAME

MORE ABOUT AMENDED RULES

AUCKLAND GIVEN ANOTHER . CHANCE The.muolwlobated question of amonded rules was again discussed by the Management Committeo of tho New Zealand Rugby Union last oveniug, whoii «. meeting was hold to consider a reply from tho Auckland Union on tho question as to what rules tho latter union was playing in cup matches. Thoro were present at the meeting/Messrs. 13. A. Harris (in the chair), J. T. Piki, C 4. Slade, A. C. Kitto, C Howo.W.-W. Cook, and Captains T. : H. Jones and Ritchie Crawford. '.- ' ■■ ' Tho Auckland Union forwarded a'lota gram as follows: "Five modified rules played August 2 and 9. My committer legally advised, and respectfully submit for consideration of your committeo that uwlor -wiles' Now Zealand Union playing of theso modified rules in inter-dub matches is solely within control of local union and docs not constitute any breach of any rules of New Zealand Union.".

Mr. Jones said he did not agree with th ; 9 views of tlio Auckland Union. _It tho English Union could', prevent New Zealand from adopting alterations to tho rules Of the game, then the New Zealand Union could prevent Auckland from playing new rules.'' ■ ■ . . . The chairman said that that was the position. .' "A Bit of Camouflage." Mr. .Slade-thought that the Auckland attitude was only "a bit of camouflage." Mr. Jones: Hasn't it been that ,all along? - . Mr. Slade: We can say that now, but .could'..not do so very well before. -

It.wus staled that.a.new Management Committee had been electeu'"'by tho Auckland Union, and Mr. Kitto asked if it were .known whether. the new committee wore' going to play'tho five rules. Mr. Harris: I don't know about the committee, but I think the wording- ol tho 'wire is quite' definite that they aro going to play tho iivo rules, irrespective of consequences. Mr. Howe: If we allow this to go on thoro will.be no end to it. Something will have to be'.done.

..'■Mr. Harris: It can't go "on, that'is a cortainty. Mr.. Kitto: We have been very, lenient with them in a way.

Mr. Man-is: Wo have been more than lenient. They have had every chance.

Mr. Kitto: They understand the position entirely, and yet they still' go on with' it. ' , Mr. Mnrris: They have been informed of the position unofficially as well as officially..

Mr. Jones said the committee would "pull' the wholo pack of cards down over their Iheads" if they suspended Auckland. Seeing that the committee had recently granted, permission to Marlborough to play three amended rnles, ho did not' think they could- suspend Auckland for playing .'five modifications. Ho was ' one of. those who wanted to see amendments to the rules in the interests of. the game. In view of tho fact that a special meeting of delegates was to' bo hold on September 19, ho did not think they .should suspend tho Auckland Union yet! ' An Instruction to Unions. Captain Crawford thought, tho committeo should be guided by the letter from the English Rugby Union. Pending the general meeting of .delegates in September,: and in .view of the .English Union's letter, all affiliated unions should bo informed that they could not. play .any modifications. ..Tho Auckland Union should be warned that if it continued to play the five amendments it had adopted, then it would bo liable lo suspension. . . The chairman said he agreed with tho views expressed by Captain Crawford that, pending the general meeting of delegates in September, all unions should be requested. to refrain from playiug amendments. As ..far. as Auckland was concerned, they should tie them down and, at onco issue, Instructions thr-.t no amendments''.at all. were to be allowed, if..they .'did not, do that, Auckland would continue to evade,the issue.

.Captain Crawford moved: "The effect of,tho loiter received from the.English B-ngby Union being that no amendments or modifications of the rules of the game can bo introduced, this committee promulgates as instructions to nil affiliated unions that, until tho next meeting of delegates on September lfl, nono of tho amended rules is to bo played. Failing, compliance with these instructions tho committeo will be compelled to deal in a drastic manner with any union not so complying. The consequent refusal to comply will mean the suspension of any union concerned."

Mr. Jones seconded tho motion, which was carried. It was decided to telegraph the instructions to all union's immediately. : "I think it as well to try to savo tho position if possible," commented tho chairman. ■

"Thnt.was, what I was thinking," said Mr. Howe. "If we suspend Auckland now, before the general meeting of delegates, wo will drive a lot of young playors over to the other side."

•Members generally were of tho opinion that it would bo better to give' the Auckland Union another ohnnce before taking any, drastic action in the direction of suspension. WELLINGTON UNION MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETS. ■ Tho Management Committee of the Wellington Eugby Union met last night whon there were present: Messrs. \V. Hornig (in. the chair), E. Pen?, J. N. Millard, A.* Griffiths, H. ..Buck, J. Lundon, E. H. Ward,. J. Prondeville, W. W.. Cook, W. Donovan, and T. H. Jones (lion, secretary). '. The explanation of a referee who transferred, his pass was accepted. Threo members of tho Berkampore Club-the captain of tho juniors, a junior player (who was ordered off for using obsceno language), and a fifth-gr-ado player (who mado offensive remarks as to the rcferee)--appcr,rcd before the committee with regard to incidents that happened, in tho Berhamporo.-Wcllington College match. Tho player who had been ordre'd off stated that the language was used in the heat of the moment, 'and he expressed regret. On tho motion of Mr. Cook, seconded by Mr. Lundon, tho player in question was suspended till tho. end of the season. The captain was addressed by. the chairman as to thero being tod much bad language used on tho football .'field at the present time, and tho point was stressed that the ManIt was decided to ask Manawaln to put-a'stop'to it. The fifth-class player attended and'apologised for his,conduct to tho referee (Mr: T. H. Jones), and tho apology was accepted. Tho Railway Battalion-Ponrua match is to stand as originally drawn. Teams from, the G.P.O. wero granted permission : to - play -at T.yall 3ay. lho Mine applies to tho Public Worlra-Tntor-nal Affairs Department match. Athletic Park was not available this week tor these games. ' . Tho Wairarapa Rugby Union wnne slating'that they would bo unable to send a representative team to Wellington owin" to the present train restrictions. Tho' Taranaki Rugby Union wero wanted .CSO towards the expenses ot bringing tlieir representative team to Wellington, tho meeting taking* un the attitude that, the union was well deserving of support. , It was decided .lo ask Mnnawatu to Play the return match. at Palmewton North-on September G, instead of &eptpmbor 13. as previously.arrange!. te n connection with the third srado championship it was decided that tho second round be continued, an (ha. championship points gained in the iir,t round be counted. _ * Regarding tho fourth class tho committee lecidecf that if Orienta who havo not liwt s match) succeeded in dofealing Petone on Saturday the championship should bo closed. In (he alternative if Petone win, Petone, Oriental, and' Mascot are to play off tor tho chaniPI In S Vlio fifth class it was decid«<r to o-wv on.the championship and draw up the leading teams. Athletic are at presenHoiuling with t7 ijomts Selivrn rh I Oriental have Id points each, and*Wo - Huston College A and Petone 14 points each.) _ „■ , , Providing .Wellington College, A and St. Patrick's. College A both win their respective matches on Saturday an endeavour is to be made to arrange a

match the two teams during tho middle of next week to decide- tho sixth class championship.

. Banks Collogo iifteen were given per-, mission to play linngiora. High School at Clrristchurch on .Saturday.

Tho meeting decided to-issuo an invitation to Admiral Jollicoo and his staff to attend one ot the matches during the college tourney. Tho sum of ,€1 17s. 6(1., expenses incurred by tho Hutt Club in bringing their loam to town on Peace Monday, is to bo paid. Mr. H. Buck moved, and Mr. J. Lundon seconded, that Mr. C. Kamedon bo appointed to the vacancy on the Selection Committee caused !>y the resignation of Mr.. W. Donovan. Tho motion was carried. ■PEOTBST-AGAINST PLAYING DALMATIANS. By Tchernr ll .--fVotn Aa«nflla.tlnn. Whakatane, August 12. The Whakatauo Kugby Union discussed "a protest by returned soldiers an<l pthers against • playing-Dalmatians. It was finally resolved .that Dalmatians .be debarred from playing in the senior grade competition.