RUGBY CODE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1824, 9 August 1913, Page 13

RUGBY CODE.

I THE DECIDING GAME TO-DAY. Unless the unexpected ' happens (say 9 the Eugby Union's weekly note) tlrs afternoon will see the end of the senior championship season. Tho present position is that only Athletic and Petone hare any chance of being returned tho winners, thero being but one point between the two teams, and Athletic have only to defeat St. James to-day to securo the championship. A drawn game would mean a final between Petone and Athletic, while a win for St. James gives tlio ohampionship to l'eto no, provided, of course, that Petone: defeat Wellington. Tho importance of the gamo has inspired tho St.'James team to train with considerenergy, and they may be expected to givo tho leaders a very hard tussle. Whichever wins, there is not likely to bo a very large margin of points between tho two. At Petone, Melrose meet Victoria College.

REFEREES' ASSOCIATION. A meeKng of the New Zealand Referees' Association, was held last evening. Present: Mr. R. M. Isaacs (in the chair), and Messrs. W. Meredith," G. Howe, D. M'Kenzie, J. P. O'Sullivan, J. Francis, and L. Sievers. It was decided to forward a list of referees available for representative and interprovinoial matches to all unions affiliated to the New Zealand Rugby Union. ■

A telegram was received from the Auckland Referees' Association asking the association to quote case law fully relative to an injured player returning to play, and to givo authority. Answer: An injured player -who has retired from the game and stands on the touchlino can return to tho field of play and tackle a player, of the opposite side provided that he is not off-side. Authority: English Rugby Union. It wa9 decided to purchase copies of, the New Zealand Referees' Handbook for presentation' to.tho manager of the New Zealand team to tour America, for distribution.

The Auckland Referees' Association asked the following question: "In tho of a referee whistling to disallow a chargc simultaneously with the ball being kicked, in no instance may th'o kicker bo changed (quotation from rule). Doe 9 this infer that the kioker cannot be changed when no cliarge has been allowed, either before or after the kick?" Reply: Yes, the kicker cannot bo changcd.

NEW SOUTH WALES TEAM. By Tel«ripli—Frees ABBocij.tlon-CooyrieM ' ■ ' Sydney, August B.' Reynolds, Willcocks, \aud Lloyd have' notified the Rugby Union that tliev will lie unnblo to accompany the Rugby 'Union team to New Zealand. Walters "replaces Reynolds.

GEDDES WITHDRAWS. (By Telegraph-Press Association.)' ■ Auckland, August S. Geddes, five-eighths in the team chosen for tho Californian tour, has informed the selectors that'ho will be unable to make the tour.