Confusion over referee

Press, 20 October 1981, Page 36

Confusion over referee

NZPA Constanta. Rumania The fledgling nature of some aspects of Rumanian rugby was brought home to the All Black tour management yesterday when they were invited to referee tomorrow’s first tour match against a Southeast Constanta XV. The New Zealand Rugby Union was originally informed by the Rumanians that a Scottish referee Alan Hosie. would referee both of their team's matches in Rumania. .

However, on arriving in Bucharest they were told that a Welsh referee, Alun Richards, who controlled the second test between France, and Australia . earlier this' year, would be in charge of tomorrow’s game. . The situation became further complicated when Mr Richards failed to arrive in Rumania yesterday as planned. In their consternation. the Rumanian officials turned . to the New Zealanders and said they were prepared for either- the

manager. Pat Gill, or the coach. Peter Burke, to re--feree the game. Mr Gill said yesterday that the Rumanians had been promptly informed that that was certainly not on and had been requested to bring in an alternative independent referee from France. After some vacillating by the Rumanian authorities, Mr Gill said it finally transpired that Mr Richards would, in fact arrive in Constanta today in time for the match.