NEW ZEALAND UNION

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 139, 16 June 1927, Page 9

NEW ZEALAND UNION

REFEREE UPHELD

The New Zealand Rugby Union's Management Committee met last evening, Mr. S. S. Dean presiding. Others present were: Messrs. A. C. Kitto, W. F. Hornig, T. -. Fletcher, E. M'Kenzie, H. S. Leith, C. L. Mullany, E. Wylie, and A. E. Neilson (secretary). • The following applicants for reinstatement were successful: J. H. Price (Duncdin), H. F. D. Hunt (Hororata), M. W. Andrews (Christchurch), and G. H. A. Frascr (Christcburch). The action of the Waipawa sub-union in changing its name to the Central Hawkes Bay sub-union, was approved. A question, forwarded through the Wellington Rugby Union, was as follows:— "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?" • Mr. S. S. Dean pointed out that rulings by the R.U. Committee in 1925-26, as shown in the book of the London Society : of Rugby Football Union Referees, included the following: "If a referee award a try, but afterwards discover that the touch judge has his flag up for touch, the law regarding 'altering his decision' does -not apply, as the ball, having previously gone into touch, was out of play, and anything which happened afterwards has no bearing on the game." ■ Mr. G. L. Mullany: "We,are quite certain about the thing." . The Chairman: "It is a ruling by the Rugby Union Committee." He added that a case similar to that under notice had occurred during the New Zealand match with Wales in 1924 when the play was recalled for a line-out after Steel had scored a try. The "matter had been questioned, and no doubt led to the ruling given in the 1925-26 season. Mr. Mullany: "Anyhow, it is common sense." . .

Air. E. M'Kenzie: "It is a-very bad rule." .

A member: "What rule?" Mr. M'Kenzie: "That, the referee be allowed to alter his decision."

The chairman remarked that it was unfortunate that the rulings were not received as soon as they had been passed.

After further brief discussion it was decided' to reply to the question in the affirmative, and also to have copies of the rulings, in which the one under notice was included, circulated to the various unions.