THE OFFSIDE RULE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 191, 30 August 1937, Page 7

THE OFFSIDE RULE

li— -Presa Association. i

SpringBoks Cannot Understand N.Z. Interpretation

(By TeRgrapl

TIMARU, Last Night. "In the match to-day we saw the bfist scrum-lialf we have met so far on otir tour. I am not saying that because he is present, but because it is a fact." These remarks were made by D. Craven, vice-captain of the Springboks, at a dinner to the teams in Timaru od Saturday night, when referring to the play of the South Canterbury half, C. Saxton, who took paTt in the AU Black .trials. > Craven also took the opportunity to rCfer to the offside rule, stating that, if the visitors had a grouch, it was in regard to the interpretation' placed on the rule by New Zealand referees. South African- referees had a different interpretation, and it was his opinion that it was because of the interpretation of the rule by New Zealand referees .that the visitors had not sfeen the outstanding backs in this country they expected to see. In his opinion, lOose forwards were killing the back3, particularly the halves. While they had a grouch, said Craven, they bore no ill-feeling. They aimply found it hard because of fhe manner the rule was interpreted here. ,The attendance at the game was 8750 and the gate fakings £1075. T. Morrison (South Canterbury), Who was selected to go into camp for the second Test, will not be available, as he is not sufficiently recovered from au injury received some weeks ago. The majority of the Springbok party left Timaru to-day for Mount Cook and will return here on Tuesday to train for the second Test.