APOLOGY ASKED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20016, 15 August 1939, Page 9

APOLOGY ASKED

REMARKS RESENTED

HAWKE’S BAY SELECTOR

CRITICISM OF REFEREE

(Per Press Association.) WANGANUI, this day

Resentment at the action of Mr. N. A. McKenzie, the sole selector of the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union, in criticising the referee of the recent interprovincial Rugby match between Hawke's Bay and Wanganui was expressed at a meeting of the Wanganui Rugby Referees' Association last night and a motion was carried asking for an apology from Mr. McKenzie. The Wanganui Rugby Union is to be written to asking for its support. in bringing the matter before the Hawke’s Bay and New Zealand Rugby Unions. The referee in question, Mr. G. Thrush, reported to the meeting that, before .the match started, Mr. McKenzie asked him how he .intended to rule on the scrummage and Mr. Thrush replied that Mr. McKenzie would see when the teams went on to the field. “In the referees’ room after the match and in the presence of another referee, Mr. McKenzie criticised my scrummage rulings," Mr. Thrush added. “I do not resent criticism and believe that we should take it, as it does us all good, but I do object to :he language Mr. McKenzie used.”

“Mr. McKenzie is not the Czar of Rugby,” said Mr. W. Molan, who added that they had the right to object to the type of language used.

After discussion the following motion was carried unanimously: “That this association strongly resents he remarks and language used by Mr. McKenzie, the sole selector of the Hawke’s Bay ißugby Union, to Mr. Thrush, the referee in the recent Wanganui-Hawke’s Bay representative Rugby match, and demands an apology from M.r. McKenzie.’’ Telephoned from Wanganui last night, Mr. McKenzie was told the wording of the motion carried by the Wanganui Rugby Referees' Association and asked if he had any comment .to make.

“My remarks were made to Mr. Thrush,” Mr. McKenzie stated. “They were not for publication and referred to a matter between Mr. Thrush and myself. I have discussed it with nobody else since: I have nothing more to say than that.”