UNIFORMITY IS WANTED IN ALL RUGBY RULINGS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 52, 2 June 1950, Page 6

UNIFORMITY IS WANTED IN ALL RUGBY RULINGS

One main objective which has been the aim of the New Zealand Rugby Referees’ Association for over forty years and which must affect the Bay of Plenty is now an established fact—agreement on methods of interpreting the laws. r lhe executive of the association has pointed out in a message to members that the pre ; c nt Rugby season is a most important one because of the tour by the British Isles’ team. Referees’ Responsibility

“I cannot stress too strongly that upon New Zealand referees who control the games with the visitors will fall the responsibility of giving, as far as possible, a'uniform interpretation of the laws” comments the chairman, of the executive (Mr G. E. Bradley). The amended constitution of dr? International; Rugby Board provides for direct affiliation of the N.Z.R.F.U. with the board, with the result that the New Zealand Unio i is now directly responsible for local interpretation of the laws of the game. In order to assist in the administration of its responsibilities, the New Zealand Union has established a laws interpretation committee of three members of the council and 00-cpted members of the referees’ association executive.

The presence of the referees’ delegate on the interpretation committee has already proved of great value, as he has been able to explain to the New Zealand Rugby Union representatives the attitude of the association to various proposed amendments to the laws.

In the interest of brighter football Mr F. E. Sutherland, representative of the New Zealand Rugby Union, has urged that referees break away from a tendency to blow the whistle too frequently when players attempt a quick throw-m Didn’t Like It It appeared stated Mr Sutherland that in recent years referees had been loath to allow the quick throwin and this trend was penalising the team that was awake and ready to seize an opportunity.

Representatives have also been asked to take steps to halt the tendency of the last man in the lineout to move up off-side. It is feared that if this is allowed to develop it will stamp out enterprising back play.