RUGBY RULES

Hokitika Guardian, 20 April 1927, Page 4

RUGBY RULES

DISCUSSED BY REFEREES. CARTERTON. April 1(1. The annual conference of the New Zealand Referees Association opened in Carterton yesterday, Mr I). McKenzie, president, presiding over a record gathering of delegates. Mr E. McKenzie, secretary of the Wairarapa Rugby Union, welcomed the delegates. In his opening address Mr D. M Kenzio lengthily reviewed the position ami explained the effect of the new rulings and alterations to the rules to be brought into effect this year. Jn the scrummage the new rule provided that the hall was not fairly in till it passes both of the feet of the first mail. H a foot be lifted before the ball has s« passed a penalty is awarded. Under the new rule a player may not lie on the ground, with the hall in possession, hut must immediately get. up or roll away from the hall, otherwise a penalty kick is given against him.

Another provision of the same rule permits the player, while lying on the ground, to kick the ball. The advantage rule was altered to except hick-off, drop-outs, throw-ins from touch, penalty kicks and lie! kicks belli ml the goal line.

The knock-oil rule is very strict. N scrum is to he ordered for the slight est infringement. “Some workable additional powoihave been given the referee, ’ concluded Mr McKenzie, “lie can stop th game before the time has expired ii ii his opinion lull time cannot he played This will help considerably in casewhere darkness comes along with much time lcit for play. If tin* rclciec i.unable to officiate during the whole period of the game ho has flower to appoint a substitute. Failing an agieenient Between the two captains the referee cannot alter any decision gi'en and is not entitled to contract out ol the laws of the game. The referee is the sole judge of time, and if lie appoints a timekeeper to assist him it does not relieve him of the responsibility. The referee cannot agree to a

suggestion if made by the captains tvary or not to recognise any law. A remit from the Wellington 1 nioii that a fair catch he exactly the same as that laid down by the English Union was lost .

An Otago remit that the roleree pm the ball in the scrum was carried. It, was decided to ask the New Zealand Union to consider the request- Dm 1 the opposing wings ho placed one oi each side of the scrum. Regarding the amendment of the rules delegates rated a point that, any interpretations do cidcd upon by the conlerence cook not be put in force until the ivuuua meeting of the New Zealand Hugh.' Union.

Mr H. J. McKenzie suggested th: the New Zealand Union meet iinme; iafely after the conference and a] prove or reject the conference deci ions, so that the interpretations coul he put into force when the seaso opened next Saturday.

Mr S. S. Dean assured the couferenet that the New Zealand Union woiih meet next week to consider interfile tat ions before the opening of the sea

1 The work of the conference yesterday 1 afternoon and evening comprised a e thorough perusal of the latest edition c of the handbook and laws of the game, as passed by the English Rugby Union, and the notes and rulings thereon. It was agreed by the New Zealand Association that those he dealt V with individually and either agreed upon or amended. Tljoy will he fur- ' warded to the New Zealand Union c .Management Committee for approval - and will come into force with the open--1 ing of the season, which will he general - throughout the Dominion next week.