MEN OF THE WHISTLE

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 94, 22 April 1933, Page 6

MEN OF THE WHISTLE

VALUABLE CONFERENCE

Particularly in times like the present -Hhcn tho rules of Rugby are so much under discussion the part played by referees J9 a very important one, and upon their interpretations of the law a great deal of the success of the game depends from the point of view of both players and spectators. In order that touring teams may take the field with confidence undcf strange referees, it is advisable that there should bo uniformity of rulings throughout tho country, "in New Zealand this uniformity is gehovallyto be found largely owing to the connections maintained between tho referees' associations and to the interchange of ideas which takes place at 'the annual conference of tho New Zealand Rugby Referees' Association. Held this year at Blenheim, tli<> conference again proved of value and during.tho two d*ys' sittings the rules of the game wcro* freely discussed and some of tho interpretations were revised. . .' Tho position in regard to decisions given by tho Referees' Association on questions icgarding niles was made clear in tho association's icport, which stated that all replies to questions submitted by affiliated associations had, as usual, been placed' before a sub-com-mittee of the N.Z.R.F.U. and was given tho union's approval before -ring circulated. It was agrepil that tho N.Z.K.F.U. should control -io playing of the gamo in the Ppminion^and, the relations between the two bodjea,nsd always- been." tho most cordial} Whilst there wits every prospect of that ideal relationship continuing for years to come. . Tho question of when "no-side should be called was raised by Mr. H. J. McKenzie (Wairarapa) and proved a fruitful topic of discussion. Tho main point at issue was whether a referee, on blowing his whistlq for an infringement after timo had elapsed, should call time. Among tho arguments used it was contended 'that as the laws provide for two spells of equal length, time should bo called as soon as the specified period had clap«ed. Tt was decided that as the kick at goal must be taken after a, try, a kick must be awarded if there is a penalty or a, fair catch, the safest course was to Allow the ball to go out of play before calling time. THE PENALTY KICK. The conference approved an addition to the penalty kick rule providing that 111 the event of the ball not Teaching the line of the mark after a-penalty kick and being played by the kicker's side, a scrummage must be ordered, but if the ball is played by an opponent the game should continue. A note was added that if the infringement is ingoal a goal may be scored whether the ball reached the line through the mark parallel to the goal-lino or not. A point cleared up was that the penalty kick is taken when the kicker's boot makes contact with the ball, and that while players on the opposing side at or near the mark must remain passive, opponents on the'line of the mark parallel to the goal line, need not remain passive and can charge the moment the kicker's boot makes contact, with tho'ball.