FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 25 June 1930, Page 3

FOOTBALL

REFEREES’ ASSOCIATI ON

RULINGS GIVEN

CHRISTCHURCH, June 24

The Canterbury Rugby Referees’ Association met last evening, Mr W. B. culler, presiding over an attendance of about thirty-five. The chairman congratulated Mr S. Hollander on the honour of refeieeing the first test match—Britain v. New Zealand. The association liad upheld its end on Saturday in the person of .Mr Hollander. KICK INTO TOUCH.

Mr Hollander said that while in Dunedin an interesting question came under his notice. It concerned the luck in goal. The point , was that in South Africa and on some of the lesser grounds here the goal posts were not firmly fixed in the ground. In a big match in South Africa, refereed by Neesa, the great referee, a player cannoned against the post in scoring a t-ry and the post was forced over at an angle. The kicker kicked the ball over the! baa- outside the posts. A goal was awarded and this decision was correct, despite the fact Unit the ball did liot go between the uprights.

Tim rule stated that the ball must cross the bar. Others present spoke of instances ol’ this type which occurred in the early days and quoted the rulings given. KICK LYiO TOUCH. Mr C. M’Lachlan said that there was some confusion regarding the ruling in connection with the ball pitching into touch on the, full after the kick-off. A numter of players had told him that they thought that the present ruling was that a line-out should he taken where tile hall went into touch. The chairman explained that the adoption of the old kick into touch rule had not affected the nil nig in connection with the kick-off going into touch on the full. . In this case the opposing side had three options, allow their opponents another kick-off, or take a scrummage u'£ the centre of the half-way line, or let the kick stand. The more usual choice was the second mentioned, but there was no reason why tlie non-offending side should not avail themselves of either of the other two options.

THROW INTO TOUCH. Mr M’LacT.lan asked what the correct ruling was in the ease of a player deliberately throwing the ball into touch. He was of the opinion that the referee could award a free-kick or a scrummage. 'l’lie chairman replied that this was correct, and quoted the following rule: “If a player wilfully pass, knock or throw the ball into touch, the opposing side shall be awarded at their option a penalty kick or a scrummage (a) at right angles to the touch line ten yards from the place where the ball went into touch, or (b) at the spot where such pass, knock or throw occurred.’’ TALKING ON THE FIELD. The question of talking on the field was discussed at length. Arising out of the discussion the question of whether it was possible to penalise a player for excessive talking or appealing was asked. It was pointed out that this offence would come under the heading of misconduct and could he penalised by a free-kick. The player might be cautioned or even ordered off if he persisted in talking or appealing after he had been penalised for doing so. Mr J. IT. Kingi, in speaking on the question of illegal fending, said that in one game lie had recently co-nti oiled a player persisted in using his hand i on an opponent’s face. Other instances were spoken of.