More International Referees Wanted

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31771, 30 August 1968, Page 13

More International Referees Wanted

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, August 29.

Too few referees were given the opportunity to control international matches, said the Auckland Rugby Referees’ Association in a letter to the Auckland Rugby Union.

The letter expressed disappointment that only five referees were chosen to the nine provincial games involving France this winter. “We find it difficult to accept that there are only five referees in New Zealand worthy of this honour,” said the letter.

“The level of refereeing Is consistently good throughout New Zealand," it said. “The appointments showed a lack of confidence in our referees, however, and exposed certain of them to an in-built prejudice among the players. “Promising referees are being denied the opportunity to control major games. The same thing occurred in 1966, when the Lions toured New Zealand. The result was a luke-warm appraisal of our referees by the touring side.”

The association said it felt strongly about the subject and asked that its feelings be brought to the notice of the New Zealand Rugby Union. The College Rifles delegate, Mr B. Trembath, said it was apparent that the Referees’ Appointment Board in Wellington was not seeing enough referees around the country.

“Do they just sit down in Wellington and decide?” he said. “If this is so, then the letter deserves our support.” The chairman, Mr R. Burk, said the appointment panel probably had 50 or so referees to choose from. Each union was asked to forward the names of not more than five referees for appointment to top-level appointments. This letter is to go to the New Zealand Rugby Union.