Complete Overhaul of N.Z. Rugby

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 28, 27 October 1937, Page 4

Complete Overhaul of N.Z. Rugby

COUNCIL'S PLANS Thorough Investigation to be Undertaken HOW MANY IN A TEAM? The loss of the so-called Rugby supremacy of the world to the Spring boks has been responsible apparently for the launching of a campaign for the complete overhaul of the sport, both on and off the field, jn New Zealand, Special conxmittees have been set up hy the council of the New Zealand Rugby - Union to investigate every aspect of the game, and thOre are distinct possibilities that some far-reaching developments will take place during the next 12 months. The report s _ be submitted by the committees will cover both the administrative and the playing sides of the game. The standard of play as well as the methods of seleGtion and the playing of trials was discussed at a meeting at Wellington of the New Zealand council, and it was as a result of this discussion that the deGislon was niado to' have the special reports fur> nished. The following sub-committees were set up to report to the next meeting:— Blaying aspects: Messrs E. McKenzie, convener; R. T. Meredith, A. AAdams, W, J, Wallace, J. T. Burrows. Administrative aspect, , inciuding trials aud selections: Messra. S. S. Deau, convener; J, "Frendevile, D. M. 8'pedding, R. T. Meredith, F. T, Glasgow, It was reported by Mr Adams, a member of the New Zealand selectiph eomniittee, that ihe selectors iutended to iurnish a report. A decisjou was also made that all unions should be invited to report on the playing of the game in their districts, A special committee comprising Messrs 8. S. Dpan, G. A, Maddison, o. Frendeville, and A. A. Aaams was, appointed to report on all aspects i>t primary and post-primary school foot-. ball. Fifteen or Fourteen? Within the near future the varjous itugby Unions hroughout the Deniiiiiou are to be circularised for expressious pf opinion as to how improvement in the actual play itself and in the aduimistratin of the gamecan be eifecfed, ln the nieautime, however, the special committees set up by the couUcil in Wellington will prepare separate reports of tneir investigatious and recouit inendations. Such aspects as whether tho number of players in a team should be reduced from 15 to 14, and whether a forward should be takeu out of the pack and added to the rearguard, give spuie indication of the wide gcope of the iuvpstigatioli that it to be can'ibd out.' Among thq delegates present at the meeting on Friday was the Mayor pf Hastings, Mr G. A, Maddison, "The council deeided to recommend that there should be no overseas toujr next season, ' ' said Mr Maddison, when interviewed this morning. "The idea is to have a 'holiday' to esable i'econstruction and reorganisation to take place. This proposal will mean qal!-ing-off tlie proposed tour of Australia.'' Concerning domestie matters, Mr, Maddison said that every avenue that would lead to the deveiopment and improvement of the sport in New Zealand was to be esplored, "The rules are to. be carefiilly considered, and the committee dealing with the game itself is to investigate such qupstions as whether there shall be 14 or 15 playefs in the side," he said. "If there are to be 15 players, then will there be eight forwards and seven backs? Will there be fouy three-cjuarters? Will tliere be scrum and fly halvesl ^Vhat will be the dur&tion pf games? Tliese and any other suggestions aud icleas that might pccur to members are to be considered and yecopiniendations are to made tp the pounoiL

Fostering the Sport, " Stepa are to be taken to fnrthei f oster the sport in the schools and also among the Mapris,"1 continuod Mr, Maddison. "A co'nference with the Maori representatives will take place on December 10, when also wUl be the next meeting of the council, The ad. ministrative aspects are to be thorpqghly investigated, as is also the control of games by the referees, Such matters as arrangipg iqter-prQvinciai toiirs, the selection of North Islaud. trial aud New Zealand fifteen s, and whether there will be a selection committee of twp pr moye or merely a sole selector appointed by the New Zealand Upion, will all be reported upon," Referring tq the financial position after the yecent tour pf the Springboks, Mr. Maddison said that, though all Press reports set the profits down at about £18,000, the council had fouud it quitq impossible to estimate even roughly just what the profits on the tour would be. "Not one-third of thq returus from- the various unions have come to hand yet, and until at least the great majority do come to hand it is quite impossible ' to obtain eveu a hazy cohceptiou of the position," he said. "Natnrally, until this iuformation is available it is no use even discussing the question of distributi.on of the profits." One thing was known, however, and that was that 12$ per cent. o? the gross takings would go to the Gaverhr ment in entertainment tax. It was hoped that the final retufns would be available by December 10, when the council would next meet,