Diversity in Rugby Rules

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 37, 6 May 1927, Page 11

Diversity in Rugby Rules

ALL BLACKS’ TOUR SPRINGBOK MATCHES (From Our Resident Reporter.) WELLINGTON, To-day. Important questions introduced by the impending tour of Soutn Africa were discussed last evening at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union. After an interesting discussion it was decided that the old kickin to-touch rule be not re - i nt.ro - duced. Discussing the trial matches in connection with the South African tour, some delegates to the New Zealand Union’s annual meeting expressed the opinion that it was not necessary to hold such matches this season.

It was finally decided that no trials should start earlier than September 21.

On the question of the number of matches to be played in South Africa, several delegates were of the opinion that not more than 16 should be played. The matter was left in the hands of the Management Committee. KICKING INTO TOUCH

Moving a resolution, on behalf of the Wellington Union, that in view of the New Zealand team’s tour of South Africa in 1928, all representative and trial matches, and the North-South match, should be played under the old kick-into-touch rule, Mr. W. J. Hardham stated that New Zealand faced a difficult proposition in the matches in South Africa. Everything should be done to give them the best possible chance. If they reached Africa with an inadequate knowledge of the. 'rules they would be at a disadvantage at once. Wellington did not desire to revert to the old rule. They only desired to give the New Zealand team the best possibility of winning the Rugby premiership of the world. Mr. D. J. King, seconding the motion, said the old type of forward was going to be worth his weight in # gold in South Africa next year. They rarely saw an old-time forward rush under the new rule. The halfbacks know little about rush-stopping. They wiU have plenty of that in Africa. Linefinding has always been an art. Few men find the line like Gerald Morkei did. The New Zealand forwards are not so superior that, without previous practice, they can walk off the boat and win matches against such players. The 1924 team met a country team just entering the season. The South African team will be right into the hard matches without experience of the old rule. The African forwards have shown their calibre. This country must not be lulled into false security. Mr. H. Harris said the movers would be wise to cut out the word “representative” and make the trial matches only to be played under the old rule. He certainly sympathised with the motion, which was in the right direction. SELECTOR’S OPINION

Mr. N. McKenzie expressed the opinion that few players in New Zealand had played under the old rules. It was unfair to the unions to play representative fixtures under anything but the rule the players were used to. Mr. S. S. Dean, aftjer reading the opinion of Porter, captain of the 1924 New Zealand team, favouring reverting to the old rule, said the new kick into-touch rule had developed a new type of player altogether. When South Africa visited New Zealand in 1921 they caught the Dominion players in a weak moment, when they had hardly recovered from the war. In fairness to the team going to South Africa they should give them knowledge of the rules under which they were going to Play.

Mr. N. McKenzie declared that lie admired hard play, and he contended that the kick-into-touch rule had not modified the style of play. He held that the amended rule had bred a type of forward of which there were dozens in New Zealand, whereas in the past there were only a few men of such calibre as Seeling. Dr. P. F. McEvedy declared it would be impossible for any player to pick up line-kicking with a few practices. To do it properly they should revert to the old rule, not only for representative matches, but also for club matches. The time was coming when New Zealand would be glad to revert to the old rule. “You cannot play with the rules, and still hold the supremacy of the world. The delegates are on the wrong track. They must realise that, against a strong scrummaging side like South Africa, they should give the New Zealanders every possible help.” “RUN THEM OFF THEIR FEET” Mr. Casey said the tendency was to select forwards who shine in the loose, and not have solid workers, though these players exist. The clubs, by changing back to the old rule, then reverting next year to the amended law, would have confusion worse confounded. The forwards would not be affected by any change. The backs should have sufficient brains to overcome any difficulties they may be called on to face. “The new type of forward, created under the new rule,” said Mr. S. Wilson, “would run some of the heavy South African forwards off their feet. He considered reversion to the old rule in representative and trial matches was not sufficient. It would need to be adopted for the whole season.” Replying, Mr. Hardham stated that this union should allow certain matches to be played under the old rule with that idea. His motion was lost by 46 votes to

RUGBY FIXTURES

AUCKLAND PROVINCE GAMES COMMENCEMENT IN JULY (From -Our Resident Reporter.) WELLINGTON, To-day. Delegates to the Rugby Union to-day arranged the following fixtures for the representative games affecting the Auckland Province: July 23. —Thames Valley v. Waikato, at Paeroa. August 6.—Auckland v. South Canterbury at Auckland. Waikato v. King Country, at Hamilton. August 13. —King Country v. Thames Valley, at Paeroa. Taranaki v. Auckland, in Taranaki. August 17.—King Country v. Mana-watu-Hor’owhenua, in King Country. August 20.—Auckland v. ManawatuHorowhenua, at Auckland. Thames Valley v. Bay of Plenty, at Rotorua. August 24. —Manawatu-Horowhenua v. Waikato, at Hamilton. August 27.—Hawke’s Bay v. Auckland, at Auckland. August 31. —Wairarapa v. King Country, at Taumarunui. September 3.—Auckland v. Wairarapa, at Auckland. September"' 7.—Waikato v. Wairarapa, at Hamilton. September 10. —Auckland v. Otago, at Auckland. September 17. —Auckland v. Wellington, at Auckland.

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

MR. DEAN RE-ELECTED At a meeting of the executive to-day, Mr. S. S. Dean was re-elected chairman of the Management Committee of die New Zealand Rugby Union,