"NOT THE CZAR OF RUGBY GAME."

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 191, 15 August 1939, Page 15

"NOT THE CZAR OF RUGBY GAME."

HAWKE'S BAY SELECTOR. CRITICISM OF REFEREE IS RESENTED. \\ AXGAXUI DEMANDS APOLOGY. (By Telegraph.—Press AssociaHon.) WAXGAXUT, Monday. Resentment at tile action of Mr. X. A. MoKenzie. sole selector of tho Hinvke'n Bay Rtiirby ITnion, in criticising the referee of Inst Wednesday's match between Huwko'a Bay and Wanjjanui, was pxproswod ;it a meeting of tlio lliiicby Referees' Association to-night. A motion was carried asking for an apology from Mr. McKonzie. and it. was decided to ask Hie Whiiganui Rugby Tnion for its support in bringina tlie matter before the Hawkc's Bay an<! Xcn- Zealand Rugby Unions. The referee in question, Mr. G. Thrush, reported to tho meeting that before the match started Mr. McKenzie aeked him how he intended to rule on the «erummatre, and Mr. Thrush replied that Mr. McKenzie would see when the teams went on the field. "After the match, in tho referees' room, and in the presence of another referee, Mr. MeKenzie criticised my eerummace rulings." Mr. Thrush added. "I do not resent criticism, and I believe that we should take it a« it doee us all jfood, but I do object to the language Mr. McKenzie used. "Mr. McKenzie is not the Czar of Rugby," said Mr. W. Nolan. After the discussion the following niation was carried unanimously: — "That this association strongly renenta the remarks nnd language used ny Mr. McKenzie to Mr. Tliruah, referee in the recent Wanßainii-Hawke's Bay representative Kuirliy match, and demands an apology from Mr. McKenzie." Telephoned from Wanganui to-night, Mr. McKenzie was told the wording of the motion and asked if he had any comment to make. FTe Ha id: "My remarks were made to Mr. Thrush. They were not for publication, and referred to a matter between Mr. Thrush and myself. 7 have discussed it with nobody olso since. I have nothing more to say than that." Hawke's Bay beat Wanganui by 18 points to 17.