RUGBY FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 15 November 1932, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL

HALF TIME RULE. SOUTH AFRICA AGAINST. ILONDON, It is unfortunate, but only too true, that, the Rugby Unions of tihe Dominions are still at variance with the International Board. The recent decision of an authority that in no sense of the word represents or ever hag represented, Rugby Union opinion throughout the British Empire, to the effect that players should not leave the field at half-time hag previorrly been rejected bv New Zealand. The South'African Union have now decided that they cannot'agree to tbi 0 as local conditions make it undesirable that they should adhere to the rurag, and they have requested the board to rescind the rule or to grant South Africa exemption. They will, however, on the sportsmanlike suggestion of ,Mr A. J. Pienaar, who accompanied the Springbok team on their tour of tihe British Isles last season—and -who wa s known to all “A.Jl”—observe the rule until the Rugby Union hag reported to them on the matter. ' Again, at their .recent meeting the South African Board, on being informed that the creation of the suggested Imperial Rugby Cbmmtssion wag not being proceeded with, decided to press for direct and immediate South African representation ■ era the Rugby or "English” Union. It may be remembered that 'when the proposal for t!h» formation of the Commission was flift advanced by the International Board it was decided to give all Rugby Unions representation on it. New Zealand and Australia informed the /board that they did not favour th° idea of much a Commission, and it iV du© to the fact that the request for such an authority was not unanimous that it wa 5 decided over here to drop th« matter. * Tn these circumstances South Africa will press for representation on the (Rugby Union. NOT REPLACED. Since the resignation of Mr V. F. 'Cartwright, the old Enk-'sh “Rugtrer” captain, who for a long time, watched the interests of the Union at their recmerct in all matters affecting the Dominions, -South Africa have made no attempts to replace him. Their reason for this was that th°v believed that there would be a r.ewlyappointed authority in which they wouVl be directly concerned. Still-, as New Zealand and New o&u’fh Wales have their representatives on the Rugby or. “English” Union in Mr C. J. Wray and 'Dr L. G. Brown, dt is obvious that South Africa. ar e not Inclined to be ignored. The High Commissioner for 'Soutl' Africa, is interesting himself in the matter, and it is iittt'improbable that H. W. '(“Herbie”) Taylor, the greatest South African batsman of ( all time, and a keen "Rugger” man, 'who is now in England, may ,be nominated for tn position, Th« south African Board, realising that the question of a suitable representative requires considerably have deferred their final decision.