WHY FLANAGAN WAS ORDERED OFF.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 121, 23 May 1940, Page 20

WHY FLANAGAN WAS ORDERED OFF.

BREACH OF HOOKING RULE.

The Qfficial reason for the ordering off of the Ponsonby hooker, G. Flanagan at Carlaw Pal k last Saturday was revealed when the referee reported to the Auckland Rugby League Control Board last evening. The referee stated that after Flanagan had been warned several times he continued hie breach of lifting his foot before the ball was properly in tlie serum. He was finally put off for deliberately kicking the ball out before it was properly in the serum. Members upheld the referee's notion, it being explain-ed that a referee hail the right to ask u captain to shift a player. The I'onsonby captain shifted Flanagan from liooker to the second row of the serum. Subsequently, however. Flanagan went back to side man in the front row of the scrum, and it was here that the final breach occurred. Flanagan was not present owing to business reasons and he wae ordered to appear at next week's meeting. Shadbolt (Mount Albert) and McLeod (Marist), who were ordered off last Saturday for exchanging blows, were severely cautioned. Scrum Change Mooted. . a view to overcoming certain infringements continually occurring under the present method of forming a tight scrum, it was decided to communicate with the New Zealand Referees' Association suggesting the possibility of reintroducing the loose head formation. It was felt, said the chairman, that this would improve the game iiecause it facilitated the putting of the ball into the scrum and its coming out cleanlv. The change might be made with advantage locally, but with due recognition of the tight scrum required under national or international rules when necessary.