FOOTBALL MATTERS

Hokitika Guardian, 15 January 1920, Page 4

FOOTBALL MATTERS

THE RUGBY GAME.

NEW LAWS: IMPORTANT AMENDMENTS SUGGESTED.

this is the “off” season for the popular winter pastime much interest has been manifested throughout New Zealand, with the relative positions of tho New Zealand and English Rugby Unions, the proposed alterations in the laws of the game, the recent conference in Sydney, the proposed visit of outside representative teams, and cognate matters.

LAWS OF THE GAME. Of special interest to players and supporters are the suggested alterations to the laws of the game, which are said to be far reaching. At the recent conference, at which delegates from New Zealand were present, the recommendations concerning the laws of the game were as under:—

Law 2.—Referee must always put the ball in the scrum. This makes many present notes superfluous. Law 5a. —After an unsuccessful try the game must he restarted from halfway. Law 9.—The man who gets a mark must take the kick. Law 10.—In all free kicks another kick must be given if any player oversteps the mark. The absolute free kick. Law 11 (h). —Changed to come into line with referee putting ball into

scrum. . „ Law (k).— Off-side rule compelling all loose players to he behind scrum. Does away with wing-forward. Law 11.—If player breaks away from scrummage no penalty if lie gets back immediately. This means forgoing the Australian three-man front line. This is an addition. Law 11.—Tlie obstruction rule. Addition providing that a kicker victimised by obstruction while following shall have free kick where hall alights. Another addition. Law 12. —The Auckland amendment regarding ball in touch, requiring ball to be put into play from kicking place if it goes into touch on the full. Law 13.—Try at goal. Absolute free kick. Law 15.—After the force-down there shall be a scrummage ten yards out instead of the 25 yards drop-out, except

in case of touch in goal. This has certain slight exceptions. Law 21.—N0 scrummage can take place within ten yards of touch. Foi all breaches within ten yards the scrum taken ten yards in. A recommendation was passed for the alteration to obtain in New Zealand and Australia, in the absence of worldwide adoption, as it was thought that England might conceivably fail to follow these alterations. Several surprises were swung on the meeting, one of the greatest being the statement of the fact the English Rugby Union had in 1910 delegated its power of action under the professional rules to the New Zealand, New South Wales, and Queensland Unions. Thus, comments the Auckland “Star,” since 1910, the New Zealand Union has had full authority to act under the whole of the rules of professionalism, with power also to delegate to any of its affiliatec bodies. This was a thing that was never known in New Zealand until the delegates returned from the Sydney conference.

REGARDING TOURS. An agreement was also entered between the three unious in respect to arrangements for visits, tours, and matches between them. This is to extend over a. period comprising tours by New Zealand teams to Australia this year and in 1922, and visits by Australian teams to New Zealand in 1921 and 1923. Each tour is to consist of seven matches, two to be tests. In Australia one test and three other

games to be played in New South Wales, and one test and three other matches in Queensland. The proceeds of each test to be divided in the ratio of 40 per cent to the home union and 30 per cent apiece to the others. Other matters, such as appointment of referees, and so foi'th, were laid down, and special attention of both referees and players was directed to the definition of a scrum. The point to be emphasised was that “one or more players from each side getting down with the ball between them was sufficient to form a scrum.” It was explained that this interpretation of the scrummage would have a vast effect in speeding up the game, and it is intended that it shall be enforced at the beginning of next season. As regards the other rules and recommendations, although the meeting endorsed them completely, there is no evidence that they will come into practice here this year, or even next. But it is considered that they will come, though the da' > of their practice is uncertain.