Referee’s Rulings Upset Tourists

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30782, 21 June 1965, Page 3

Referee’s Rulings Upset Tourists

“I was embarrassed by the number of Australians who apologised to me for the refereeing,” said the Springbok manager (Mr J. F. Louw), when asked to comment after the match.

“I don’t feel that Rugby was served well by the match rulings. The referee should be consistent and yesterday Mr Fergusson was not consistent in his rulings.” Asked if he felt the referee did not penalise the Australians for off-side play around the rucks, Mr Lowe agreed and said that South Africa was penalised twice for that breach.

The South Africans obviously were upset by the referee. After the game players said they felt everything they did would be penalised and that they were frightened to touch the ball near their line in case there was a penalty awarded. Also, the team was amazed when the referee refused to allow G. F. Malan. the pack leader, to speak to him about a ruling. “I will only speak with the captain.” the referee was said to have replied to Malan. it was an unhappy start for the Springboks for they were not very enthusiastic about Dr. R. Vanderfidld, the referee for the New South Wales match.

Mr Fergusson penalised the South Africans 16 times. At one stage the score was 15-2 in favour of Australia When

South Africa was at last awarded one the crowd cheered loudly. During the match there were cries of shame from the members stand as the total of penalties piled up monotonously.