Rugby manners improving

Press, 1 June 1977, Page 6

Rugby manners improving

The Canterbury Rugby Union’s “get tough” policy on rough rugby geems to be having the desired effect. The convener of the judicial committee (Mr J. G. Mullins) said at a management committee meeting last evening that he had spoken with referees, and that they had noticed a more thoughtful attitude among players, who were generally observing the rules. Five orderings-off were before the committee last evening, but in one case a player failed to appear. A Burnside president’s player did not attend, and apparently there is doubt as to the correct name. Other cases dealt with and their punishments were: B. Mills (Shirley), fourth grade, received a" caution. M. Roberts (Marist), also fourth grade, was suspended for two weeks for punching an opponent. P. Hartley (MerivalePapanui) was suspended for four weeks for kicking an opponent on the gt'ound, and the same penalty was imposed on P. Malone (Lyttelton), senior B, for the same offence.

The national final of th| Middlesex Cup club seven-a. side tournament will be held at Athletic Park, Wellington, on August 14. It will clash with the Benson and Hedget regional final in Canterbury on that date, and the mattei was left with the compels tions committee to invest!, gate.