LEAGUE BUGBEAR

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 57, 4 September 1937, Page 23

LEAGUE BUGBEAR

LACK OF UNIFORM RULINGS

The Council of the New Zealand Rugby League' has decided to hold a special conference of referees in an endeavour to secure greater uniformity in interpretations of the. rules of the game. One, and perhaps two, Australian Rugby League referees will be invited to attend the conference, .which will be held early next year. There is a difference in the Australian and New Zealand interpretations, particularly in the play-the-ball rule.

In the recent matches played at Auckland, the Australian Rugby League team were freely penalised for the manner in which they played the ball, though at no stagfe did the Kangaroos wilfully question the referee's interpretation. It was obvious even to the moat inexperienced spectator that the Australians were surprised at their method of playing the ball, incurring frequent penalties. The Kangaroos, "put over" the old tricks such as putting the ball down at the side of their feet, in between their feet, placing the ball on the ground, and stepping over it, and even bringing a hand into action, to, "cover" the ball while they heeled it back. Every player in the Rugby League knows that these methods are not legal, though at some time or other all have tried to exploit these unfair advantages and under the circumstances, the Australians were rightfully penalised. The most surprising feature was the persistent manner in which they employed the illegal method.

AUSTRALIANS SURPRISED

The" pare of the play-the-ball rule in

which the Australian and New Zealand difference in interpretation, was disclosed, was the formation of players taking part in. the actual play-the-ball movement Watching the Maori v. Kangaroo game, one could readily see that the Australians were genuinely surprised at their interpretation of the play-the-ball. rule meeting with the referee's displeasure.

The New Zealand Rugby League's book of rujes says that the acting halfback must stand a yard, behind the man playing the ball and all players within a ten-yard radius must be at least three yards behind the half-back. But the Australian Rugby League's book of rules does not say anything about this. The Australian interpretation states that "all players other than the two playing the ball and acting as half-backs should keep well away and so obviate penalties." The difference is very apparent. New Zealand's interpretation, according to the rule laid down by the English Rugby League, is the correct one. . , ADDINGTON'S VISIT. The Addington, Christchurch, firstgrade team which defeated the Hutt Valley thirteen by 25 to 10 last Saturday impressed as being a fine allround club combination. The game was fast and very, open, with Plenty of action. >..■•. . : ;

In the reserve grade match, Addington defeated Randwick, 21-19. Many; thought this was the better match of the two. ■. ....-, ■,■ . ■ ■-.-■ ;-;;-;;