BROADCAST ACCOUNT OF RUGBY MATCH

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24986, 21 September 1946, Page 2

BROADCAST ACCOUNT OF RUGBY MATCH

TIMARU REFEREE’S CRITICISM (P.A.) TIMARU, September 20. In the interests of refereeing and Rugby generally in New Zealand, the New Zealand Rugby Union should make representations to the New Zealand Broadcasting Service to have Rugby announcers “vetted” before they perform further over the air, said Mr L. v. Bryant, of Timaru, who was referee in the recent match between Southland and Australia at Invercargill. Criticising the broadcaster from the the Invercargill station, Mr Bryant said that the function of a commentator was to give listeners a fair running commentary, but he* claimed that on the Occasion of the recent match the man at the microphone did a distinct dis* service to the referee and football in general. Mr Bryant cited several Instances in which erroneous information about his control of the game had been given listeners, and said the impression was conveyed that the game was almostee nght from start to finish. It was not He had not cautioned anyone and had no need to, he said. Referees should be protected against unfair attacks on them, said Mr Bryant. He added that during the progress of the match the Australians Were satisfied, and it was unfortunate that the criticism was made in such a Way by the announcer.