RULES AND RULINGS

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 80, 5 April 1933, Page 12

RULES AND RULINGS

SOME RUGBY PROBLEMS -.'.■■ QUESTIONS FROM NEW ZEALAND

Numerous points in regard to Kugby football, rules and rulings in Xew. Zealand were placed beforo a recent meeting of the London Society of Eugby Pootball Union referees, and the president (Vice-Admiral Percy Eoyds) made ■special reference to two questions which had been put by the New Zealand .Union to the Eugby Football Union (England). These questions were: —. *'(!) The ball is in in-goal and a player stooping to ground it is pushed from behind; by an opponent. Should this be penalised;? ■ (2) The ball , is i thrown-in . from touch, and a player secures possession iv tho lincout. lie starts, a passing movement which, results in a try being scored. The referee on awarding the try notices that the touch judge is still holding up his flag at the spot fronv which the ball was thrown in. The touch judge's explanation is that the ball was thrown in from the wrong place. -This incident actually occurred and the referee disallowed the try.. Was he right? The JCew Zealand Union said 'No.'" . The rulings of the English Eugby Union Committee were: — (1) Law 19 (b), which allows a player overtaking an opponent, also running for the ball, to push him from behind if he stoops to. pick it up, applies to in-goal as well as to the field of play. The player's action was therefore quite fair. . (2) The try. should: not have been disallowed. Law 11, which defines the touch judge's functions, lays it down that he shall lower his-.flag immediately the ball is thrown, in unless it is thrown in by a player of the team not entitled. in the throw-in or unless the thrower, puts either foot into the field of play. The question as to whether the ball has been thrown in from the right spot ornot is entirely outside the touch judge's jurisdiction. . ■ ■. '■ ' ; . From ti"mc to time the London Society of Eeferecs reeelvc'3 a record of the results of the ' New Zealand referees' deliberations, and a number of these were discussed at the London meeting referred to. ■ ' .; ■ The questions and answers ■ aro as follows: — ; (1) The ball in play touches the referee three, yards from the .touchy line in the space within two 25yds lines. Should the scrummage be :;|arded;at the spot, according to Law .'JO, or ten yards from'the touchline, according to Law 15 (b)? —Answer: Ton yards. Law 15 (b) covers all, cases of serums, being ordered. . .-....■■■ .'.' '■'" ■ (2) May a player bounce the ball oil his thigh over an opponent's head? — Answer: Yes. Provided the ball is not thrown forward to bounce il. (3) 4. fair catch is made by a defender in his own in-goal. As he commences his run to take his kick an opponent charges, grabs the ball out of his hands, and grounds it. Is it a try? —Answer: ,No. The ball must cross goal-line;' otherwise kick: ta be retaken. (4) A player running, quite close to the touch-line -with the ball.kicks the; ball with his outside foot. As he kicks1 the ball and his foot are over the touchline. His foot does not touch' the ground in touch and the ball alights-in-the field of play. Hasthe;ball be.en in touch?—Answer:,^cs,;Throw-in award: ed to opponents. •' ) ■'■.'■. ...".'.- , (5) A. long kick is taken up tho touehline, and as the ball crosses the touch-line a player standing in the field of play reaches over.the touchline and fields the ball.' Is it touch, and if so, whoso throw-in?— Answer: Ball in touch; Throw-in; kickei.V opponents.: (6) A- penalty, kick .ia- awarded .tO; an attacking'"team, the mark being in the defenders' ill-goal about 3.-yards from the dead-ball-lino,. The attackers take the kick' from the field; of play so that the ball just crosses tho 'goalline, where one of their players grounds it. Is it a try?— Answer:'' No. 'Ball must pass' through, a' line through the mark unless a goal is scored or unless it is first played by an opponent. (7) A defending ifull-back fields the ball in his own in-goal, and whilst still in in-goal kicks the ball into the field of play. One of his own team, also in ingoal, but in front of: the kicker all the timey follows the ball tip into the field of play. Is he offside?—-Answer: No. Covered by Law 17 (d). (8) A development, of the last question concerns the full-back kicking from his own in-goal, but'the'player who'is in front of ■• him. aIL the'time is in:the field of play at the; time the: kick is taken-, and \is . therefore: offside. Does he put himself on-side by stepping back over the goal-lino before chasing the ball in the field of play?— Answer:' No decision. Point referred to Eugby Union Committee. Meeting differed as to interpretation of Laws 17 and 18.