RUGBY REFEREES

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 17, 20 July 1926, Page 15

RUGBY REFEREES

NEW ZEALAND EXECUTIVE

A LIST OF RULINGS,

Various points iu connection with the Laws of Rugby Football were dealt with at a meeting of the executive of the New Zealand Rugby Referees' Association last week. Mr. D. M'Kenzie was in Ihe chair, and others present were:—Messrs. H. J. M'Kenzie, A. M. Sims, E. S. Hylton, J. Francis, T. A. Fletcher, and L. Sievers. Messrs. D. M'Kenzie, E. S. Hylton, and J. Francis were appointed to attend the New Zealand Eugby Union Conference to consider remits to be presented to the Imperial Conference. The following questions were subI niitted by affiliated associations relative to the laws of the game for decision thereon:— Question: —Obstruction Rule: Re penalty under clause marked (b). Reference has been made to this being a scrum where the ball alights. The rule clearly indicates a free-kick. Is this correct?—Decision: Yes. The opposite side has the option of a freekick in both cases, (a) and (b). Question: —(a) A kick at goal is being taken and the placer is lying on the ground in front of the ball when the kick is taken. Is there any penalty for this? —Decision: No. (b) If the plaeer stands up in front of the ball when the kicker kicks the ball is there any penalty?—Decision: Off-side; kick forfeited. Question: —Does the advantage rule apply to the line^out from touch, and if deleted has same been adopted by the other centres in the Dominion?— Decision: The advantage rule does not apply if the ball is not thrown in straight at the line-out. A scrum musi be ordered. The New Zealand Union advises that the above instruction must be adhered to, and is general throughout New Zealand. Question. —(a): The ball, after being put in the scrum straight, and having touched the ground in the centre of the scrum goes through the scrum and comes out the other side. Is the ball considered as having been fairly in the scrum? Decision.—The ball is legally in the scrum, (b): The ball, after being put into the scrum straight and ha'viug touched the ground in the centre is knocked out either side by one of the front-row players. Is the ball considered as having been fairly in the scrum and tho game allowed to proceed? Decision.—Yes. (c): If the ball in either of the above two cases did not reach the ground before being out. of the scrum, would tho ruling then be different; and, if so, what Decision.— Penalty; ball not fairly in tho scrummage.

Question. —Re a player "knoekingon" and the ball going over goal-line, and being forced. The present decision is that the advantage rule apply and a force-down be awarded. In a recent game, the case cropped up, and the opinion was expressed that the advantage of the twenty-five yards drop out was too great for the offence, it being pointed out that if the player concerned had made a broach of the rules which calls for a free-kick only, it would have been given, and this at tho spot. Confirmation of the previous decision was asked for, suggesting that the drop-out was not in order. Decision.—lt was decided to adhere to the previous decision: "That the advantage rule applies, and a force down be awarded.

Question. —Review of decision: A player takes a free-kick, or a mark-in-goal, and the ball does not cross tho line. The present ruling is that another kick must be ordered, but in tho schedule of penalties laid down at the back of the handbook the ponalty quoted (unless a ball hits the cross-bar and rebounds) is a scrum flvo yards*out). Decision.—Breach in goal: Five yards scrummage is the correct ruling. Question. —The new rules state that the advantage rule does not apply in a line-out, and that if the ball is not thrown in straight a scrum must bo ordered. AVould a referee bo correct in giving a free-kick against a player if, in his opinion, the ball was thrown in crooked to gain an unfair advantage? Decision.—The ball must be thrown in straight; otherwise a scrummage.

v Question. —:The referee allows a mark, and after doing so notices the line umpire's flag up. A player with the ball having, put his foot into touch a few moments before, can the referee order a throw-in from touch, or must he allow the mark Decision. —Mark to bo awarded. *

Question. —A serum is ordered, and if one side deliberately refuse to form a scrum on the mark by persistently going ahead, what is a referee justified in doing? Decision. —Free-kick for deliberately wasting time.