All Blacks will watch tongues

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33539, 21 May 1974, Page 14

All Blacks will watch tongues

(N.Z.P.A. staff correspondent, RON PALENSkI)

CANBERRA, May 20. Dr R. I. Vanderfield, who was named today to referee the first test next Saturday between New Zealand and Australia believes the All Blacks talk on the field more than most Rugby players.

“I felt that penalties against them in the New Sotuh Wales game for talking were necessary,” he said.

Dr Vanderfield refereed the game against New South Wales, and was a touch judge for the All Blacks’ match in

Dubbo last week. In both games, the All Blacks were penalised for talking.

When told Dr Vanderfield would have charge of the test, the All Black captain, A. R. Leslie, said: “Players in Sydney were talking among themselves. We encourage players to talk, that's our game. We seldom talk specifically to the referee.”

Dr Vanderfield, who it medical superintendent of the Royal North Shore Hospital, in Sydney, has refereed 14 tests since 1956. and has had charge of more than 250 firstgrade games in Sydney.

The coach, Mr J. J. Stewart, said: “It had been reported to me that Dr Vanderfield had preconceived ideas about New Zealand’s players on the field before the New South Wales games. I’d be surprised and disappointed if what 1 was told was true about a referee of his experience.” Mr Stewart and the team manager, Mr L. A. Byars, were advised only tonight that Dr Vanderfield would referee the test, although the decision was made by the Australian Rugby Union in Sydney last night. The first unofficial news of the appointment for Mr Byars was when the New Zealand journalists touring with the team told him.