RUGBY REFEREES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 111, 13 May 1939, Page 23

RUGBY REFEREES

A meeting of the Wellington Rugby! Referees' Association was held this week. The instructional class discussed j the rules relating to the kick-off, dropout, and charging and obstruction. Some interesting points were raised and the necessity of dealing firmly •with the player who was inclined to tackle an opponent who had parted with the ball was impressed on the referees. The practice of charging into ian opponent who had just kicked the ball was a very dangerous one, and referees were instructed to see that offenders in that respect were severely dealt with. SATURDAY'S INCIDENTS. Incidents which occurred in last Saturday's games were also discussed, and it was agreed that many players had not yet made themselves conversant with the tackle rule. In the senior match at Athletic Park a player was i brought down and held about two feet from the goal line. The ball touched the ground, therefore a tackle had taken place. The player with the ball, reached up and placed the ball over the goal line. The referee rightly penalised this player because, after a tackle, the ball must be played with a foot first. It is well to remember that the tackled player must get up before playing the ball with his foot. If a player carrying the ball is thrown or knocked over, but not held, he may ' nevertheless pass the ball or get up and continue his run even though the ball has touched the ground.