ALL BLACKS CRITICISED.

Shannon News, 3 August 1926, Page 3

ALL BLACKS CRITICISED.

HAVE THEY SWELLED HEAD? DISCOURTESY ALLEGED IN SYDNEY (Christchurch Star’s Correspondent); SYDNEY, July 18. '

Although the All Blacks, both on and off the field, showed disapproval of the work of the test, match referee, Mr A. L. C. Irving, there was little cause for complaint.

A splendid handling of each game was given by the official mentioned. Certainly nothing finer has been seen in New Zealand by the writer, who has enjoyed a ivasit experience of Dominion referees.

There are naturally certain little differences between New Zealand and New South Wales’ rulings, but these were explained away by the official who was almost put through the “third degree”, by the manager tul captain on the day prior to the second test. Mr* Irving is letter-perfect on the law and, in replying to criticism, was able to quote not only from the English Rugby Union’s Handbook, but from those of New South Wales and New Zealahd as well. Yet on (the field he did not err against the spirit of the game in interpretation or partiality. As a matter of fact, one decision cost New South Wales four points. Morrissey, pressed by opponents, drop kicked for goal, and a snappy kick sailed right across the centre of the cross-bar and then swerved suddenly to one side. Mr Irving raced to position for a decision, but the massed grandstand behind the posts, with its black background, did not permit a definite ruling, and, as he was in doubt, he correctly gave the benefit to the defenders, the AH Blacks. -Several All Blacks admitted afterwards that the decision was a lucky one for them. Porter’s remarks to Thorn, the New South Wales’ captain, when the latter offered his hand in congratulation at the end of the game, were unworthy of the occasion and his position in the game. It was rather discourteous to the play of the New South Wales’ team and to the leader of that side to he told that “the All Blacks had won, hut they had beaten sixteen men.”

Unbiassed opinions of Irving’s work in the tWo games can be gathered from reading any accounts in the Sydney papers by newspaper men not usually or directly associated with the Union code. Mr Claude Corbett, for instance, in the “Sun,” could be quoted. The “squealing” on the field, the appeals by men who were not captain of the side, and such like remarks, have not made some of the All Blacks men over-popular with local players and officials. It looks as though the English tour has affected the viewpoint of some of the famous. New Zealand players.