PORTER'S TRY

NZ Truth, Issue 1190, 20 September 1928, Page 14

PORTER'S TRY

Obstruction Ruling Criticised (From "N.Z. ..Truth's" Dunedin Rep.) Notoriety has followed m the' wake of Referee Me Kenzie's ruling near the conclusion of the Waratah . — All Black test at Dunedin when Porter was awarded' art obstruction . try which gave the >;AH' BJacks honors m the rubber. BASED on the ruling that a try was inevitable, "Jjf.Z. Truth" holds that the decision, was in -order. That the All Blacks would not have registered a try, and m a. good- position, • wouldn't be taken up at long odds even if it could be proved. . ; Yet, m view, of the heavy criticisms which have been hurled at McKenzie's head since the match, there arises a suggestion that the Rugby rules should be amended to deal more specifically With an incident such as the one which arose at the .Dunefliri test. Y. ! It rnig [lit save a referee's i reputation which is just as important, as that of a player/ :.■■. \ Measured, the spot -where .Porter was obstructed was- 16 /yards ' from' the goal-line: Critics : will -haye^ it, and not without some feasibility, vthat . such a distance is sufflcipnt for a riumber of infringements to occur' oh the -part of the attackers. ;. • All things taken into account, there is room m the rule-book .. for a clause stipul^|ng.;a.-defi^te'dißtapc.e;from-'ine.' goal-line^ .wherein an^ ; bbßtructibn in,frinsQmeat:fbrfeita,.a, i try» '