RUGBY FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 14 April 1932, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL

\ POSITION OF DOMINIONS

INDIVIDUAL VOTE SOUGHT

'By Telegraph — Per Press Association)

WELLINGTON, April 14

At if,he annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union, to-day, tho President, Mr S. S. Dean, in the course of his address said that i.t was felt 1 by them all that the time had surely j arrived when New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia should have a vote on ghe body that would be J supreme in the control and destinies of the game. Although the claims of over, seas unions had been pressed for a, number of years, the best offer front's the International Board was a proposed rugby commission. He was of the opinion that New Zealand should, with other overseas Dominions, press its claims for a seat on a regular and properly constituted body, who will be paramount in the control of rugby football. It was for the meeting to decide whether or not New Zealand should refuse, or accept the commission. Should it be accepted, they must withdraw their affiliation to the Rugby Football Union, and it might be that they were grasping a shadow and losing the substance. The Rugby Football Union, he was sure, had done, and was doing its utmost to see fair treatment meted out to the Dominion unions, and until such time as a body was set up, that would . satisfy the Dominions. It might be! better to reha in affiliation with England .

X.Z. TO TOUR ENGLAND

PLANS FOR TOUR OF JAPAN

WELLINGTON, April 14

Reference to overseas tours which have been suggested in the near future, was made by Mr S. S. Dean in his address to the Rugby Union. As a result of a talk the committee had with Mr Tandy, manager of It he South African cricketers, who is also a member of the South African Board, it was hoped that South Africa would reconsider the invitation to a tour of New Zealand and Australia in 1954, or 1935 An invitation had been received front the International Board for a New Zealand team to visit Grea<t Britain in the 1936-37 season, and this had been accepted, and, during the tour, matches would be played against England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. With rcg’rd to the wish recently expressed by Japan, through the Canadian Union, for a New Zealand team to tour Japan, it was for the delegates to say whether they should instruct the incoming committee to enter into negotiations for such a tour.

The President, referred to the Management Committee’s recommendation that New Zealand should adopt the principle of three men in the front row of ithe scrum and abolish the wingforward. New Zealand was the only rugby country in the world playing the recognised wing-forward, and it was felt for the sake of uniformity, that New Zealand should take the action proposed.

By so doim;, Xo'v Zealand's mtme overseas would be greatly enhanced. 'l'lie committee’s recommendation was actuated only in the welfare of the game..

SCRUM FORMATION

RULINGS GIVEN ON POINTS

In view of misunderstandings current among players, the Management Committee of the Canterbury Rugby Urio" srave two rulings In ft evening on points concerning scrum work under the new rules.

Mr S. Hollander, president of tlr* Canterbury Rugby Rcrierues Asssoriation, said that the rules stated that the hall was fairly in the scrum when i had passe I -the t" o feet of a man in each team on the side on which the ball was put in. but that none of the first three fecit of either team could be lifted until the hall had passed ’-'host? first three feet. 'Mr Hollander argued Unit the ball could be hooked hv the second foot of the second man, as it had passed the two feet of 'the tiivt man The union agreed with Mr Hollanders contention, and ruled also that when dm ball came out alongside of the last man till b 3-d-l scrum it was out of the scrum and could be played.