BRITISH RUGBY UNION

Hokitika Guardian, 14 August 1931, Page 5

BRITISH RUGBY UNION

ANNUAL MEETING.

r THE NEW ZEALAND TOUR. LONDON, July 2. Mr Walter T. Pearce, of Bristol, who Avas elected president of the Rugby Union, at the annual meeting, for the third successive year, referred in his presidential speech to the tour of the British team in New Zealand. - ‘T think,” he said, “we are all very pleased with'what the team did in New Zealand. The result in Rugby games is not everything, but Are have heard from many sources Avhat a. fine impression the team made by their play, and particularly their back play. “One of the most difficult jobs was the work the manager, Mr James Baxter, did as ambassador of the four Home unions. Courteously, hut firm, ly, he explained precisely where the Home unions stood with regard to the | laws of the game, and I am sure that, l as the result of this tour, a much better understanding has been arrived at between the' Dominions and ourselves. “Referring to the Selection Committee, Mr Pearce went on to say that after many years’ work on that body, Mr Baxter had. though it was time he retired, but he placed himself entirely in the hands of the committee of the Rugby Union, as did Admiral Boyds and Mr A. I). Stoop, two other members of the' Selection Committee, “Next season, therefore,” said Mr Pearce, “there will be no doubt be three new members of the Selection Committee. Mr Baxter has told us that Ave should ha\ 7 e neAV and younger blood, and I think he is quite right, for in all the committees which have to do AA-itli the futxire policy of the ItAigby Union there should be a steady stream of neAV blood.”

RELATIONS WITH FRANCE. Mr Pearce then went on to talk about the relations of the four Home unions with France. First of all, he Avished to contradict the story which had appeared in certain French newspapers, that the Rugby Union had given permission for some of their clubs to play French clubs. “England,” he stated, “will never act separately from the other three Home unions. The affairs in France, owing to the propaganda which has gone on in connection Avith the two rival bodies there, make it impossible for us to send teams over. As England did many years ago, Avhen the northern clubs broke away and almost threatened the existence of the Rugby Union game, France must, in like circumstances, face the issue boldly, and put their house in order. They must recover direction and bligy recover discipline. .y, ’ ' fi Mr A D. Stoop and Mr R, F. Oakes were re-elected vice-presidents, and Mr IL Prescott honorary treasurer, LAWS OF THE GAME.

The considerable alterations in the Uiavs of the game, proposed by the International Board, Avill take place at a special general meeting to he held on July 24, hut the following alteration, proposed by the committee, in accordance Avith resolution of the International Board in LaAv _ 32, was agreed to : “If a defending player kick, pass, knock or carry the ball back into his own in-goal, and be there made dead, except in the case Avber© a try is obtained:, the ball shall be brought back and scrummaged at the spot from Avhich it was kicked, passed, knocked, or carried back.”

This law covers heeling-back, or a fumble, whereby the ball goes into a player’s own in-goal. Provided it be made dead—in each case. The rules as to professionalism remain substantially the same, but slight alterations in the wording of them have taken place to make them identical with those of the Welsh Itugby Union. These alterations were agreed to. Previous to the annual meeting a meeting of the committee was held, Mr W. T. Pearce, the president, presiding. The following official information was given out: — “The Rugby Union desire to state that neither they, nor any of the other home unions, have given permission to British clubs to play against French clubs during the coming season. Soutft Africa. Kenya and Ceylon have agreed to the uniformity of laws as issued by the Rugby Union, but replies are still awaited from the other dominion unions.”