‘Cooler’ not in rules

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32640, 23 June 1971, Page 32

‘Cooler’ not in rules

The rules of Rugby do not say that a referee cannot order off a player for a “cooling - off” period. However, according to Mr D. J. Cunningham, the president of the Canterbury Rugby Referees’ Association, such an action is not considered within the rules. The question was prompted by a reader of “The Press” after a suggestion by the sports editor, R. T. Brittenden, yesterday that a “cool-ing-off” period could be use-' fully employed. “Rugby league did this in Christchurch a few years ago,” said Mr Cunningham, “and was told by its International Board that it was not part of the rules.” His own personal idea was that such a system could operate “quite effectively” in lower grade Rugby, and it had been considered.

Sympathetic “I believe some prominent referees have said there would probably be a sympathetic hearing to such a ruling,” said Mr Cunningham. “If it was effective then it could be introduced at higher level.” It was pointed out to Mr Cunningham that New Zealand (replacements) and Australia (kick-into-touch rule) for some years operated under variations of the international rules before they became law. Mr Cunningham accepted that New Zealand could, similarly, introduce a "cool-ing-off” period for junior Rugby. “But I still think it would need one of the bodies affiliated to the International Rugby Board to put the proposal forward.” Mr Cunningham also agreed that suspension periods for cooling off had operated very successfully in hockey, ice hockey—“where the temperature does not seem to affect the tempers of the players”—and indoor basketball and other physical contact sports.

Rugby league. Sydney premiership results: CanterburyBankstown 14, Parramatta 13; South Sydney 35. Balmain 9; St George 13, Newtown 11; Penrith 9, Cronulla-Sutherland 5; Western Suburbs 19, North Sydney 17; Manly-Warringah 12, Eastern Suburbs 7.