REFEREE'S DECISION

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 138, 15 June 1927, Page 23

REFEREE'S DECISION

CAN"'IT BE ALTERED?

i The action of the referee of the Uni-versity-Marist senior match at Athletic Park last Saturday in awarding a try and then, on seeing the line-umpire's flag hoisted, changing his decision, has been a subject of much comment in local Rugby football circles. Against opinions that the referee cannot alter his decision, it has been pointed out that there is an English Rugby Union ruling which gives the ■reefree that power. It appears, however, that the ruling has not yet operated officially in New Zealand.

The matter was discussed at Monday's meeting of the Wellington Rugby Referees' Association, fend as.a result the following communication was received by the Wellington Rugby Union's Management Committee last evening from the hon, secretary of the Referees' Association:—

"My association has instructed .me to ftsk your union to .apply to the New Zealand Rugby Union for a decision re the following: "Can a referee, after awarding a try,, finding that the touch judge's flag is still up for a man in touch, reverse his decision of a try and order the throw-in'from touch?" ■-•

It was decided to forward the request to the New Zealand Union.

Durinp; an informal discussion at the conclusion of last night's meeting Messrs. A. J. Griffiths and W. J. Hardham pressed the point that, according to the rules operating in" New Zealand, a referee could not alter his decision. Mr. T. A. Fletcher (Referees' Association) contended, however, that if the matter went on appeal to the English Laws Committee the referee would be upheld. It was also stated that decisions had been altered in, other similar cases. As the discussion proceeded the official rule book was produced to show that the referee's decision must stand.