RUGBY INTERPRETATIONS.

Shannon News, 28 June 1929, Page 3

RUGBY INTERPRETATIONS.

THE ADVANTAGE RULE A series of printed papers containing the considered opinions of experts in the control of the Rugby game has been received by the Horowhenua Referees' Association. The first of # these is by Mr E. S. Hylton, hon. secretary of the N.Z. Rugby Referees' Association, and is on the advantage rule. It is as follows: — See the Rule Book (page 28) on "Hints to Referees." "There is a pronounced tendency on the part of referees to whistle immediately a law of the game is infringed, without waiting to see who gains the advantage of the infringement, and referees are urged not to whistle when the non-offend-ing side gains an advantage." The meaning of the foregoing is quite clear. The attractiveness of a game, both from the players' and' the spectators' point of view, is very much in the hands of the referee. Many a game has been quite spoilt by the referee blowing his whistle for every breach noticed, regardless of the fact that in many instances the non-offend-ing side gained an advantage from their opponent's infringement of the Jaws*.'. P The football field, when a match is in progress, is no place for a mifsician, however many variations he maybe able to obtain from a one-note instrument. We must always remember that the players want to play football and the spectators want to see them playing it: if either, or both, want music, they will seek elsewhere for it. It is a cause of much irritation 'to the non-offending team to have the game stopped, say for a knock-on or other breach from which they undoubtedly would have gained an advantage. So long as the non-offending side gains an advantage it does not matter in the least how far thejball has been knocked on.

It oometimoj happens, of course, that a referee may, on the occurrence of a breach, anticipate the course of play, and, not having stopped the game, subsequently find that the non-offending side has been placed at a disadvantage thereby. In my opinion, and provided another stage of the game has not been entered upon, the proper thing to do in such circumstances is to stop play immediately and inflict the penalty that would have been given had the game not been allowed to proceed. Most games are frequently interspersed with minor technical breaches benefiting neither one side nor the other, and it would not be in anybody's interest to bring the game to a standstill for the sake of re-starting it at the same spot by means of a set scrummage. In the cases of free kicks and penalty kicks one frequently has to contend with players getting in front , of the kicker, but in many cases the opposing side gains a greater advantage by*fielding and kicking, or passing, the ball than they woubi do were the referee to order the play back, for a scrummage. Therefore, in such circumstances, the game ' should be allowed to proceed. According to the English Rugby Union's handbook, the parent body has decided not to apply the advantage rule to —

: (a) The throw-in from touch; (b) The kick-off and drop-out. This ruling was evidently given on a raised by one of the counties and is now embodied in the laws of the game as played in New Zealand. In any event I consider that the advantage rule should apply to every phase of the game. The modifications referred to above are not in the best interests of the game in New -Zealand, but, nevertheless, as the alterations have been adopted by the New Zealand Rugby Union, our referees must rule accordingly. The proper application of the advantage rule unquestionably -adds to the speed and attractiveness of the game and these features should be developed as much as possible. Much depends on the referee, however: he must make himself physically fit to keep up with the play, no matter how fast; otherwise he will be forced to slow tJia game down by stopping it for every little breach; or, on the other hand, will not be in a proper position to give correct decisions.

In conclusion, I have only to add that there are plenty of instances in nearly every match where the referee has only to use a wise discretion in dealing with trivial and accidental offences against the laws of Rugby, as set forth in the rule book,' and if he enters into tinspirit of the play he will not only satisfy the players and spectators but will himself derive a great deal, of enjoyment in return for the humble service he is rendering in the cause of our national game.