Partisan Crowds
The booing of the Taranaki goal-kicker on several occasions during the Ranfurly Shield match on Saturday was one of the worst exhibitions of bad sportsmanship by a Christchurch Rugby crowd in living memory. The partisanship of many spectators was unpleasantly obvious when the Wellington referee awarded a penalty against a Canterbury player in a kickable position at a critical stage of the game. It is a moot point whether booing the referee or booing an opposing player as he takes the kick is the worse offence; it is undeniable that both offences were committed on Saturday by several thousand spectators. The behaviour does nothing to help the spectators’ home team, it damages relations between visiting and home teams, and it exposes Christchurch Rugby crowds to criticism and contempt throughout New Zealand. The Canterbury Rugby Union should plan to prevent any repetition of Saturday’s disgraceful behaviour.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CX, Issue 32395, 7 September 1970, Page 12
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147Partisan Crowds Press, Volume CX, Issue 32395, 7 September 1970, Page 12
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