Partisanship Allegations By Press Correspondents

Chronicle (Levin), 12 September 1949, Page 6

Partisanship Allegations By Press Correspondents

_ — * "Reeeived Sunday, 7 p.m. , - • SYDNEY, September 11. Sunday paper correspondents with the Wallabies in New Zealand, allege partisanship byv the. referee in the match between the Wallabies and West Coast-Bnller. ' ' The Australian team played 16 men, including the referee at Greymouth," says E. W. Kann in the Sydney Sun. "'Easily the best player for the conibined side was the local referee, Mr. R. Pratt. Only oue word describes his refereeing — disgraceful. The combined team scored both its tries from infringements and one perfect try by Burke was disallowed. Mr. Pratt apparently had his own rules."

In the Sunday Herald, Les Ryan says that the game was marred hy some amazing decisions hy the reieree and that both West Coast tries should have been disallowed, the first hecause it i'ollowed a knock-on, and the second hecause it came from a forward pass. "The forwards threw punches and the referee sent Wilson off the field to cool down for allegedly kicking an opposing forward, Ryan, on the head," adds Les Ryan. "It was an amazing set up. Wilson walked to the grandstand and joined non-playing memhers of the team. Then the refegpe gave a penalty to West Coast and while Ryan was heing attended hy ambulance officers, the referee beckoned Wilson to return. When a West Coast forward walked into a ruck and deliberateiy punched Cornforth, the referee awarded a scrum. A hiased crowd at intervals hooted the Australians.", * In the Sunday Telegraph, Phil Tresidder also alleges rough play and ' ' atrocious" refereeing and adds: "New Zealanders who this week have bitterly criticised South African referees in the All Blacks' tour, nfight well he advised to put their own house in order first."