Welsh Union Backs Referees

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31235, 6 December 1966, Page 21

Welsh Union Backs Referees

CN-Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) LONDON. The Welsh Rugby Union has lashed back at the Wallabies manager (Mr W. McLaughlin) for his criticism of their referees. In a statement issued by the union's secretary (Mr W. H. Clement), the W.R.U. said it gave full support to its referees and resented any sug-

gestion of bias made by Mr McLaughlin. Mr McLaughlin first made his criticism of the choice of referees during the Wallabies’ second visit to Wales after' Australia went down to Swansea 8-9 on November 26.

He then said: “Today’s referee was the worst in my 34 years in the game. He did not know the laws and applied the 1964 laws.” Most British Rugby writers reacted with astonishment to I what they term “this out-

burst” by the Australian manager. But some gave Mr McLaughlin grudging support for his criticism of the application of Rugby rules. The full statement by the W.R.U. said: “The Welsh Rugby Union has unanimously resolved that all Welsh referees and, in particular, those who have officiated in matches involving the Australian touring team, have the fullest support of its committee.

“The committee deplores the recent criticisms, of adverse nature, and rejects accusations of bias levelled against certain named referees.”

When told of the statement, Mr McLaughlin said that he had no comment to make.

Australia’s history-making victory over Wales has left the team with a legacy of serious injuries. Two Wallaby stars, P. Hawthorne and R. Heming, are almost certain not to be available for the next Rugby test—against Scotland on December 17.

On Sunday, Hawthorne, who fractured his right cheekbone in the closing moments of the match at Cardiff Arms Park, bluntly refused to have an operation. Experts in the Wallabies camp said that without the operation, Hawthorne would need at least two to three

weeks for the bone to partially heal. The great danger, they said, was that he could permanently injure himself without the operation. But the decision was Hawthorne’s—and Hawthorne’s alone. The injury is a crushing blow for the Wallabies, as Hawthorne is by far the best and most experienced fiveeighth in the team.