Rugby Suggestions.

NZ Truth, Issue 127, 23 November 1907, Page 3

Rugby Suggestions.

| f A correspondent signing himself ik.K.E. (writes m the following strain ,on the advisab-leness of making alterations m the laws o£ our national game, which would, m his opinion, tend to popularise the game more m the eyes of the public than is the case now :■— "Dear 'Pakeha,'— l would like to draw the attention of Rugby ites, through your well read columns, to several matters, which, if taken , up seriously, would greatly improve our football. These suggestions have probably been made before but owing to the N.Z. Union's Unswerving kow-towing to the English bcfdy, nothing has resulted. Now, sir, as we are undoubtedly the premier Rugby footballers m the world, I fail to see. why the N.Z. Union cannot make and adopt rules of its own, especially if the said rules would benefit the Rugby game. There does not seem much d.oubt that the Eng. lish Union is fossilised and completely out of touch with modern Rugby as played m N.Z. and so it behoves us to wake up and foster the good old national game.

■Firstly; I maintain that the rule as to putting the ball m the scrum should be abolished, and that the referee be empowered to perform this duty, so as to do away with the scrapping wing-forward. This would enable the referee to give his undivided attention to, the scrummage and so watch any unfair tactics which may be indulged m by the hookers.

. Secondly, I would like to see the adoption of a 10-yard "throw out" from touch ; that v is, the forwards must not come within that distance when the ball is being thrown from the line. Now, the English Northern Union has •discarded all the throw out from touch, and kick the ball out instead, with the result that they have a very fast open same, which is a pleasure to watch. As, however. New Zealand play is worked such a lot "from the line, I think we could set the game opened out considerably by "the application of the 10-yard limit ; m fact, we coukl get the same results from this as the E.R.U. get from their "kick out."

By adopting such a course the game would be considerably better for the players, because.it is m these close line owts where such a lot of half arm "jobbing" goes on, which it is almost impossible for the referee to sec.

Thirdly, m the event of the attacking side having a shot at goal and the ball, striking the uprights, rebounds into play, I consider that the defending : side are really at a disadvantage and should have the option to claim a. force-down, which would undoubtedly have resulted , but

for the posts. v

Now, sir, I hope that you can find space for some of the foregoipg remarks, as I consider that it is about time the players m New Zealand "took a tumble" to the fact that the Rugby unions (especially the N.Z. body) are being run by men who are •not m sympathy with the game, and the sooner. the players take an active part m the affairs of the "good old game" the better it will be for everybody.''