STILL UNCERTAIN

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 100, 30 April 1930, Page 6

STILL UNCERTAIN

MAKING A "MARK"

KEFEKEBS SEEK GUIDANCE

The decision,1 of the Wellington Rugby Union-that the'international'ruling with regard to the claiming'of a mark is. to be observed in local matches this season has not entirely cleared the air, even among the referees, and last night the union received from the Wellington Referees' Association, a request for -a. ruling on the matter. ; . Mr. J. Moilitt, president of the Referees' Association aud its representative, on the Rugby Union, said that the question had been raised Y\rhether..the fact that a player was compelled to make a. heel mark in claiming a fair catch, prevented him from taking a step forward. His view was that it'did.*,' The pli)J-er must have both feet on the ground aud be standing practically ilat-footed. .That; thife 'was* the English ruling had been observed by the All Black touring teams in 1905 and 1924, ■ ai-!* ue had observed it himself in 'England'and Wales during tlie war period. Mr. A. Griffiths: "You don't mean to say that a man cannot jump, into the air and take a 'mark'?" Mr. Moffitt: "He cannot do that. He must be oil his feet when he takes 'the catch.'" ; ■.'■ '"..>■ - It was decided to ask the New Zealand Union for a r definite ruling, and, in the meantime, players 'will be required to be on * the'ground when claiming a mark. Mr. Grifliths.raised the question of the ball passing straight through a Bcrum without being hooked and the ■ man Who put it in being- penalised—a matter, which lias caused some discussion in Dunedin, - ; Mr. J.'N.;;Millard contended' that such a ruling' was altogether .contrary to the spirit of the gamei particularly as the man -putting the ;ball in was: penalised, even though it was .no fault of his that* the ball Wfetit straight through^"., .. Mv.-Molfitt: "The referees are taking.it as.'a ruliiig that if the ball, goes straight through the man who put it.in must be penalised." This question was also referred to the New Zealand Uiiion for its ruling; ,'■•■, . ; Professor Boyd Wilson asked whether it ■"was "a rule in England that players wert not to go to the pavilion during, the interval. ' * ' *..-•■'.' '■'' .. .. . .': .• , .'■• ■' '■■ ■ . Mr.. Millard: "I don't think it is so much ia ruling as :a; practice.".. ~ . Mr.' Prendeyille.': '(No, it is' not a! ruling, but a recommendation, from the English Union;" ...-•. ~'■.-.-* ■..' , !