IMPROVING THE RUGBY CODE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2194, 26 October 1920, Page 3

IMPROVING THE RUGBY CODE.

NEW SOUTH AVALES TO SUPPORT NEW ZEALAND. or

Sydney, September 1 21,

The members of the New South Wales Rugby'Union decided last night to support the action of the New Zealand Rugby Union code by limiting Hie kicking into touch and .prohibiting a player running around the scrum until the ball comes out. It was decided to again communicate with the English Rugby Union in the hope that they will grant the local application for amendments to the code laws decided upon at the 1019 conference, at which New South AAbtles, New Zealand, and Queensland were, represented.

“The New Zealand Unions make it (dear,” said Mr. A. R. B, Palmer, secretary of the N.S.W. Union, “that they mean to play under the revised rules whether the English authorities approve or not. They feel that both Australia and South Africa will support them in a reasonable attempt to improve the game. The question is fraught with far-reaching possibilities, but even if the new rules are played in New Zealand, and perhaps here, I don’t think that international Rugby relationships will he irreparably damaged. Personally, I think the prohibition of kicking into touch will slow tlie game rather than speed it up. I consider the Rugby game as now played is the fastest Rugby code. Elimination of the line-kick would mean a succession of long kicks by opposing backs, while the .forwards would stand idly by.” “With regard to the other amendment desired, it is merely a way ot getting on paper what is actually tlie present-procedure in England. It affects only the local game. The Englishmen do not play the wing forward or the breakaway. They pack down and stay down till the bail is out. The incorporation of the New Zealand amendment would not affect the English Association one little bit.

Had (he South African Union agreed to these amendments with ourselves, there is little doubt that the English Union would have sanctioned them*. But South Africa, like England, while approving of our proposals to improve the game, were against these particular alterations. The breakaway and wing are absent in South At idea, as in England. Perhaps the Englishmen, utter their recent tour of Australia olid New Zealand, will regard the matter I rum a new standpoint. Anyhow, 1 do not think international relationships are going to lie upset."