Rugby coach suspended for taking team off

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33612, 14 August 1974, Page 16

Rugby coach suspended for taking team off

A coach and six players were given varying penalties last evening by the Canterbury Rugby Union after its judicial committee had had its busiest sitting of the season.

The coach was unnamed, being identified only as coach of the Linwood eighteenth grade team, it was revealed that he took his side from the field at half-time in a game two weeks ago. Mr B. J. Drake, chairman of the judicial committee, said the referee, also unnamed, stated in his report that the coacli felt the game was being unfairly refereed and there was a suggestion that tries had been awarded to players who were off-side. However, the coach, while admitting that he had spoken to the referee about his decisions, contended that he took the team off because of foul play, Mr Drake said.

It had been explained to the coach that there was machinery for his complaint to be heard and that he should not have taken the law into his own hands. It was decided to suspend him from coaching for two Saturdays. The Albion senior hooker. I. Bull, was suspended for four Saturdays—the heaviest penalty of the season—for jumping on the back of an opponent after the whistle had gone and the ball was out of play. Bull contended that his action was prompted by the fact that one of his own players was being kicked.

An Otautahi third grade plaver, S. Rahui, was suspended for two Saturdays (one having already been served) for punching. Mr Drake reported on four players from the secondary schools grade who were ordered off—two from one school (for fighting) and the other two from different schools (for a late tackle and over-vigorous play in a maul).

None of tiie schools was named and on Mr Drake's recommendation it was decided to inform the respective headmasters and leave it to them to take such action as they saw fit, the union wanting to be told of the action taken.

The chairman (Mr C. H. J. Rhodes) reaffirmed the union’s stated policy of doing all it can to stamp out rough play and support to the utmost its referees. He said that in a meeting with senior club officials on Monday concern had been expressed about the amount of rough play being seen at higher levels—and on television—and that youngsters were inclined to be influenced by what they saw. Mr Rhodes said there was a willingness in most clubs to try to stamp out rough play and lie suggested that stronger captaincy might be one answer.

“It !s up to captains to control their players and clubs could keep this in mind when making appointments.” lie said. D.C.L. Shield.—A bid bv the Suburbs club to have the D.C.L. Shield final played on Sunday, September 1, and not the previous day as planned, was unsuccessful. Suburbs argued that if

it reached the final it might lose as many as seven of its players to representative matches on the Saturday. However, members telt it would be unfair to other clubs, which have had to play finals without leading players, if the date was changed. Ground change.—Because of the condition of Lancaster Paik Oval, the planned curtain-raiser today between Canterbury senior reserve and Army has been transferred to Lancaster Park South. Tour manager.— Because of business commitments, Mr M. h Barnett advised that he would not be able to manage the Canterbury A team on its North Island tour. Mr L. J. Russell wa appointed in his place.