RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4430, 22 March 1930, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

The Rugby season opened to-day with it friendly game between Ross, Rough and Co.'s employees and others. MAN A Will END A UNION. At*the annual meeting of the Manawhenun Union the following officers were elected:— Patron, Mr. IT. F. Gibbons (re elected); president Mr. J. McGill (Horowiienua) ; vice - presidents, Messrs J. A. Colquhoun (Afanawatn) and F. Robinson (ITorowhonna); bon. treasurer, Mr. J. R. Tlardie (Manawatu); bon. auditor, Mr. K. W. Eglinton (Manawatu) ; committee, Messrs .T. lOasey, A. Riiohards and G. Mitchell (Ilorowhenua), If. R. Crawford, K. W. Eglinton, R. E. Hatch and T. AloHerron (Manawatu); vice-president to N.Z.R.U., Mr. McGill; delegates to N.Z.R.U., Messrs Colquhoun and McGill. PROSPECTIVE REP. GAMES. The question of representative matches for the ensuing season was discussed. The secretary (Mr. C. I). Eraser) stated that the ManaAvhenua reps, were bound to visit Taranaki, Wanganui and AA r a infra pn. Visits were due from Wnirarapa, AVellington, and Hawke’s Bay, and there would probably be visits from two South Island teams. Wairarapa and Mannwhenua played linme-and-home matches. Games were also owing by Auckland, Waikato and King Country.

It was demited that Wairarapa, Hawke's Bay and Wellington be

asked to visit Mannwhenua on Saturdays, and that this Union undertake to play those matches; and that arrangements in respect of the other rep. games be left in the hands of Messrs McGill and Colquhoun.

Consideration was given to the training of the Mannwhenua team to play the Englishmen. Mr. tC'nlquhouu stated that the dale of the match against the British team was May 28th. He thought that the Union would have to come to an arrangement regarding the trial match between Horowhenna and Manawatu and decide where the training should take place and when it was to start.

It was mentioned that the North Island Possibles- v. Probables match would be played at Palmerston' on May 14th. It was decided 'that the date of the Maimwatit-TTorowhenna match, he May 17th. The venue of the game was left for the Councils to a rrange.

Mr. Colquhoun moved and Mr. Casey seconded, that the training of the team to meet the Englishmen take place at Levin and Palmerston, and that the travelling expenses of the trainees he defrayed by t lie Union. ft was resolved that the selectors, when appointed, lie instructed to pick, immediately after the Mana-wafu-ITorowhmiua match, men to go into training for the British game. Mr. Robinson was appointed manager of die team to play the Bril ishm-s. K lit -K -TVTO - TOUCH BUI ,E. .MANAWHE'Nt'A UNION FAVOURS REVIVAL. The remit by the Wellington Rugby Union* for consideration at the annual meeting of the N.Z.R.U., that the kiek-into-toueh rule should ho reverted to throughout New Zealand, failing which the Wellington Union should he allowed to play tlu* old rule, was discussed by the Mann wlienua Rugby Union on Thursday evening, and the decision was unanimously in favour of the proposed revival. The matter was brought forward in a circular from headquarters, containing certain remits for the annual meeting. Mr. Elliott (Otnki) said that for a good many years the practice had been to kick out on the bounce, the object being to speed-up the game, lie thong-lit however, that it had caused Rugby to fall hack. The Olaki Club was in favour of the old rule, and considered that it would enable the New Zealanders to meet the Englishmen on more even terms. Mr. Meyer (Waikanae) said he would like an instruction to go forward from (his meeting'to its delegates at the N.Z.R.IJ. meeting to support the change to the old rule. Not only for the sake of meeting the Englishmen, but as a permanent feature, he would like to see Ihe old rule restored. s' Mr. Richards (Shannon) moved that this Union support a reversion to the old rule. Air. Robinson (Foxton) seconded j lie motion. In his opinion the changed rule had not speeded the game up, hut had slowed it down. Air. Richards considered that, if the old rule was going to he used in play against the Englishmen, it should apply throughout New Zealand. Air. Elliott asked if the proposed change would menu doing away with the wing forward and putting eight men in the serum; and several members assured him that it would not. The motion was carried without dissent.