Rough Rugby

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31096, 27 June 1966, Page 12

Rough Rugby

Sir,—l enjoyed immensely watching Rugby in the 1920 s to the 19405, but the advent of the “bodily contact” game, with the incessant kicking by the half-back and first fiveeighths, has ruined the spirit in which the game is played and its; spectacle for the onlooker. The indiscriminate kicking of men on the ground, the fighting both in the scrums and in the open, and the dirty play in the two games the Lions have played has disgusted many supporters of Rugby. These men are our guests and that the referees in both games have had to call on the captains to control their players is a disgrace. Then to have the police coming on to the field in a rough match between Wellington and Taranaki is the last straw. What dries the New Zealand Rugby Union intend to do to give the Lions clean football and bring the provincial games back to a decent level of sportmanship? —Yours, etc., < RUGBY SUPPORTER. June 19, 1966.

Sir,—l congratulate your paper on the stand it is taking, against the appalling displays of vicious tactics in this so-called sport, Rugby. New Zealanders pride themselves on being supreme in this game. They have nothing of which to be proud. The type of play favoured, and which is encouraged and condoned, is certainly unique. Heaven be praised for that! An effective cure would result from a complete ostracism of New Zealand by all other Rugbyplaying countries. During that time, it could be hoped, the present standards would kick and punch thefnselves to death. From the ruins could blossom a fresh concept of sportsmanship, and playing the game as it should be played, but most important of all, provide a ruling body strong enough to consolidate this.—Yours, etc., HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL.' June 23, 1966. [Mr H. C. Blazey, president of the New Zealand Rugby Union, replies: “Referees not only have full power under Law 20 to deal with foul play, but also are specifically required either to order off

the offending players, or to caution him that he will be ordered off if he repeats the offence. For a similar offence after caution, the i layer must be ordered off. Foul play of any kind is not condoned by the New Zealand Rugby Football Union, and referees already know that any action that they take to deal with it will have our full support.”]