ADVANTAGE RULE

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28257, 20 April 1957, Page 12

ADVANTAGE RULE

Interpretation Discussed

(New Zealand Press Association) WHANGAREI, April 19. A circular issued by the New Zealand Rugby Union asking referees for a more liberal Interpretation of the advantage rule prompted some stringent remarks from Mr C. H. Williams (Wellington), when he read a paper on the subject during the New Zealand referees’ conference at Whangarei yesterday. Citing the advantage rule as the referees’ greatness, the referees’ nightmare,” Mr Williams said that the New Zealand Rugby Union was asking that the rule be brought into all phases of play except when the ball is being brought into play. There was talk of introducing the throw from touch under the advantage law. “Why should it not apply to the free kick?” asked Mr Williams. If a man was in front of the ball when a free kick was taken, nobody should worry if the opposition made a fair catch and started an offensive.

Mr C. R. McCullum, referees’ delegate to the New Zealand Rugby Union, said the rule started and stopped with the referee, who had to see that no side obtained an unfair advantage. Mr H. B. Simmons (Wellington): Are we going to abide by the law book, or are we going to take notice of a welter of instructions from the New Zealand Rugby Union, the international board, and the press? “We want some directive, so that everybody can work on the same basis,” said Mr C. G. Wallace (Waikato).

A motion, sponsored by Mr D. E. Graham (Auckland), recommended to the incoming executive “that the whole, question of the advantage rule be clarified,” was carried.