PLAYERS SHOULD KNOW MORE ABOUT RULES OF RUGBY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 63, 30 June 1950, Page 3

PLAYERS SHOULD KNOW MORE ABOUT RULES OF RUGBY

Whakatane players and spectators have been puzzled fairly often this season by the many infringements that occur during a Rugby match. In most cases, a better knowledge by players of the laws should avoid a stoppage.

The following interpretations on the laws of the game, as approved by the New Zealand Rugby Referees’ Association, are published so that they may be of assvjtance to both players and referees. Referees must not award a fair catch unless the player chiming a fair catch is- on both feet and momentarily stationary when the catch is taken.

It is not necessary for a player’s hand or arm to propel the ball forward to constitute a knock-on. The law provides that a knock on occurs when the ball, after striking the hand or arm of a player, travels in the direction of his opponent’s dead ball line.

Cannot Pass If a player in possession of the ball is held by an opponent so that he cannot pass or play the ball, but continues to make progress down the field, he must be regarded as tackled.

The New Zealand Rugby Union has advised that, if a hooker packs down with his feet crossed, the foot which is further fiom the player putting the ball in the scrummage is to be considered the “far” foot. This means that if the ball is put in on the left-hand side of a hooker who has his feet crossed, his left foot would then be the “far” foot.

Law 17—If a player lying on the ground has not possession of the ball, he cannot be pulled away from the ball by his opponents Law 12—It |s not the referee’s duty to ascertain that only fifteen players are on the field of play. The objection should come from the opposing team. Law 35—If a team wastes time after it has been awarded a penalty kick, the kick should be ofallowed and the game restarted at the mark of the penalty.