RANFURLY SHIELD GAMES AND REFEREES

Chronicle (Levin), 23 July 1947, Page 6

RANFURLY SHIELD GAMES AND REFEREES

■Press . Association

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CHRISTCHURCH, July 22. Support for ihe Otago Rugby Union's contention that, under a ruling glven at Ihe aunual meeting of 'the New Zealand Union, any union was eutitled to apply for an outside referee for Ranfurly shield matches, was promised by the (Janterbury Union this evening vvlien a telegram from the Otago Union was discussed. Thc president, Mr. V. L. Jensen, said that the ruling given at Wellington was quite clear. Otago had wanted to inove rc-garding outside referees but a ruling from thc ehair was that this was noi uecessary as the rules provided that if either team desired an outside referee, one would be appointed by the New Zealand liugby Union. Southland had pointed out that the ruling applied only to-a special challenge mateh — not ordinary shield games, he said. "Otago has been knoclced back 12 months in its rc quest for outside referees by this wrong ruling." At the time the cliairman made the statement Ranfurly shield matches were important enough to warrant an outside referee, contended Mr. J. N. Clarke. Messrs W. E. Maxwell, R. R. Masters and W. C. Dallev agreed that the president 's outline of the position was correct. Mr. Maxwell said that if outside referees were appointed for every game it would be Lavd on local men who had limited chanccs of controlling big matches. Mr. Clarke: After the ex-periences of Otago in Southland in reeent years, it ir iio Nwinler ir«,m ail acc.ounts lliat tliey aie aslcing for an outside referee. A inotioii to support Otago 's contenUon was e.iiriiou unnaimously.