RUGBY FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 26 March 1932, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

CONFERENCE O'F REFEREES.

NEW 'SCRUM RULE

(Australian Vress Association.)

TIMARU, March 25

The annual conference of the New Zealand Rugby OReferc.es* Association opened at Timaru to-day. Twenty Associations wore represented, the conference being presided over by Mr U. McKenzie' (Wellington)., •A welcome was extended to delegates by representatives of the local Association, and the President of the Rugby Union. A lengthy discussion took place, relative to Scrummage Rule 1, and it was decided : “That it be a recommendation :to the New Zealand Rugby Union that if the ball is fairly 'in the scrum it may be (booked by the fourth loot, and it is then in play.” >

It was also decided' -regarding Rule ,24, Sub-Clause C, “That at or near the mark mean within a radius ot ten yards of the mark, and .should this not meet the approval of the Now Zealand Rugby Union, that they be asked to give a ruling on the matter.” Regarding sounding no j side, -it was decided -to carry o"n as previously, excepting provisions Sub-Clause E, Law NEW YORK, March 23. |, 10.

It was also decided to ask the New land Union also .to be asked on the replacement of injured players. In the course of a very lengthy address, the Chairman, referring fo the scrummage rule, said it was ibis opinion that .the alteration 'in the rule was not meant to compel New Zealand to fall into line with the rest of the Rugby playing countries. He held the view that the practice in New* Zealand did not present itself to those advocating the change. All they were concerned about was curing a definite evil that had crept into the game in tho Biitish Isles.