RUGBY MATTERS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 207, 26 April 1932, Page 7

RUGBY MATTERS

MAORI TEAMS TOUR N.Z. UNION DISCUSSION ON 0 NEW RULES AND COMMON-SENSE INTER-ISLAND GAME WELLINGTON, Friday. The New Zealand Rugby Union's management committee met last evening, Mr. S. S. Dean presiding. Others present were: Messrs. A. C. Kitto, E. S. Hylton, J. G. Roache, W. J. Wallace, F. Glasgow, H. S. Leith, Kingi Tahiwi (Maori Advisory Board's representative) , and A. E. Neilson (secretary). Financial assistance was granted the North Otago Rugby Union in connection with its proposed tour to the West Coast. Tour of the North "I think it would be a good tbing to piclc a Maori team and send it through the North this year," remarked Mr. Dean. He suggested that the team play matches in Gisborne, East Coast, Bay of Plenty, King Country, Thames Yalley and North Auckland. The question of the cost of the tour was raised, and it was suggested that Messrs. Dean, Hylton, and Tahiwi should go into this aspect of the matter and bring down a report. Mr. F. Glasgow: "It would be a good thing to have this tour, and it is our duty to help the small^r unions." The Chairman: "If we give them these matches we are helping our selves in the long run." It was agreed to go into the matter as suggested, and to inform those who had made a request for a team to visit the Seddon area that the Maori team would be sent North this year. Use Common-Sense It is expected of Rugby football referees that where finer points in the rules of the game are concerned common-sense should be exercised in meeting the position. "At the pres--ent time," said Mr. S. S. Dean (chairman), "referees are rather apt to come to us with technical points, when it would be far better that the points should be left to themselves to apply by the use of commonsense." Several rulings by the conference of the New Zealand Referees' Association and requests for rulings on other matters were before the meeting, among them being an interpretation of the new scrummage rule. The referees' conference had decided: "That it be a recommendation to the New Zealand Rugby Union that if the ball is fairly in the scrummage, aecording to law 15, section (g) , it may be hooked by the f ourth foot, and is then in play." To this the N.Z.R.U. Management Committee agreed only up to the point that the ball could be hooked by the fourth foot, but did not agree that the ball was then in play. "The first three feet from the side from which the ball is put in cannot be lifted until the ball has passed them," wrote the secretary of the New Zealand Referees' Association. "The suggestion behind this recommendation is that this point be waived if the ball is hooked by the fourth foot after being fairly in the scrummage. In other words, the ball has been fairly played, and the intention of the rule carried out." This opinion was not endorsed. The point was raised in discussion . as to what should happen in the event of the ball being played by the fourth foot, though not actually hooked, without passing three feet on each side. Was it in order for any of those three feet to play the ball? "It is ope of those things that is not likely to happen very often," said Mr. Dean, and he repeated that it was a case in which the referee should use his own judgment. Mr. E. S. Hylton: "Common-sense to apply." Mr. Kitto: "If they are going to loolc for trouble they will get it all the way along the iine." The chairman: "It is one of those things where common-sense overrules general procedure. In coming and asking for a definite interpretation they are looking for quibbles which are quite unnecessary. They should use common-sense." During further discussion it was suggested that the rules must be enforced as laid down by the English Rugby Union. The referees had asked for a hard and fast interpretation, and that must he given in the way as laid down by the English Union. "Where do we get our authority from?" asked Mr. H. S. Leith. The chairman: "They (the referees) have asked for a definite interpretation. We say 'No.' " The point was then raised that Mr. S. Hollander, of the Canterbury Referees' Association, had given a certain ruling during this week's meet ing of the Canterbury referees. This ruling was not correct, so far as the rules were concerned. Mr. A. C. Kitto: "Mr. Hollander has no right reading into the rules what is not there.''' Mr. Leith: "We preach uniformity, . and we are not prepared to baclc up uniformity." The chairman: "We are giving an interpretation strictly in accordance with the laws of the ga,me." Other Queries Answered Other matters submitted by the New Zealand Referees' Association, and the replies made, were as follows : — Re penalty kick. — Law 24, subsection (c) : "That the words 'at or near the mark' mean within a radius of ten yards of the mark." — No. With regard to a request for a definition of the term, it was decided that the referees should use their own judgment. Re players leaving the field. — A ruling was asked as to whether ref1 erees should carry out the following ; instruction: "The referee must not allow any player to leave the playing enclosure at half-time without his permission, which should only be granted in special circumstances." — Yes. Re Toueh. — (1) "If a player carry- _ ing the hall swings the ball into I touch, and the player is still in the field of play, the play goes on, an'd | the ball is not in touch."— -Yes, (2) "If a player with the ball in his possession swings his body into touch, and his feet do not touch or cross the touehline, the ball is still in play." — Yes. (3) "If a player with the ball in his possession touches the

touehline, or the ground beyond it, the ball is'in touch." — Yes. Re Replacements. — "That the New Zealand Rugby Union be asked for definite instruetions re replacement of injured players." — Replacements are to be allowed subject to the eon--sent of both captains. Re Pushing a Player. — "That the New Zealand Rugby Union be requested to approach the Rugby Football Union re the deletion of clause b, law 19". — This has already been done, and has met with a refusal. Rq Off-side Player (reply to Manawatu Association). — (1) "An off-side player within ten yards of an opponent waiting to receive the ball cannot be put on-side in any way if he remains in that position until his opponent plays the ball." — Yes. (2) "A player cannot be penalised for off-side play until the hall is put in the scrummage." — Ye§. "The penalty kick if awarded should be taken where the off-side breach oceurred." — If this refers to law 17 a, b or c, the answer is "yes." General Business It was decided to invite applieations from unions for the position of manager of the New Zealand team to' visit Australia this season. Two selectors are to be appointed this year for the picking of the teams for the inter-Island match as well as the team to visit Australia. Nominations for the positions-of selectors are to b"e made by next Wednesday. A decision was also made that the inter-Island match be played in Christchurch this year on the 4th June. Nominations of players are to reach headquarters not later than. noon on the 28th May, on which date the teams will be chosen.