RUGBY FOOTBALL

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 205, 22 April 1932, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL

THE REFEREE AND THE PLAYER (By Veteran) No doubt the most important official connected with a football match is the referee. There is a great deal more in refereeing a match than the mere fact of proeuring a whistle and going out to interpret the rules. To stai't with, a referee has control (or should have) of thirty players and two touch judges. Besides this, he has the spectators to study, be they few or many. We all know that spectators can reaeh to great heights of exeitement when a good, thoroughly controlled game is in progress. He must also keep the spirit of the game instilled in to the players all through the game. I do not believe in a referee starting his duties in a match, with a uocket edition of the rule boolc on his mind. A great many of the rules should be, more or less, read between tho lines. Let him interpret the rules in keeping with the run of the PlayTeams of young players cast fiiore responsibility on to a referee. They are inexperienced and must learn that there is more in football than the actual playirig. They will learn the true meahitig of modesty and chivalry in the hour of victory, and of true sportsmen in the hour of defeat. I am not in favour of a passage in the rule hook which states that a referee shall keep in mind all players with a notoriety for unfair play. This I consider is unfair to a referee. It practically Tneans that he has one or more playei'S sorted out before the game starts. PIow would any player take it should he know he is sorted out? Will this create harmony between players and referees? As to players' conduct. There should be nothing preconceived on the part of a referee.' He is there on the spot to deal with that class of player should occasion arise. It is the duty of the player's own club to deal with him. What a hindrance they are to their teammates on the field of play. With out active players there would be no football. Therefore, players should co-operate with the referees and officials in a grand rally this season, to bring back the standard of play as it was in the days of H. Tai Mitchell, Jack Hikatarewa, Neri McRae and others. Let us witness many nohle struggles this season between teams engaged in friendly rivalry.