RUGBY REFEREES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 11, 13 July 1939, Page 20

RUGBY REFEREES

POINTS ABOUT RULES

There was a good attendance at this week's meeting of the Wellington Rugby Referees' Association. The instructional class discussed various rulings given in recent matches and some very instructive and interesting points were raised. There appears to be a tendency amongst players to disregard the rule which says that a player overtaking an opponent also running for the ball must not push him from behind.

An incident in connection with this rule happened,in a recent senior match and one side was deprived of a try, which it could have got had the player who had the opportunity of scoring kept his hands off an opponent who did not have the ball. An attacking forward had outstripped his team mates and the defending side, except the full-back, who was standing about three yards from his goal-line. . The attacking player kicked the ball over jthe line, pushed the full-back over with his hands, and fell on the ball, expecting to be awarded a try. The referee penalised him for obstruction, and awarded the defending side a penalty kick about two yards from the goal line, on the place where the fullback was pushed over. . It is becoming quite common to see backs, when running for the ball, push an opponent, especially near the touch or goal lines. Players should note that this practice will get their , sides into trouble and remember a penalty kick may win or lose a match. Another point often overlooked by players is that before a try or touch down can be awarded, the ball must be "grounded." That is, the player must touch the ball down on the ground with his hand or hands. Picking up the ball from the ground is "grounding" it. Frequently players fall in "in-goal" with the ball tucked underneath their arm, but unless the hand or hands make contact with the ball while it is on the ground, neither a try nor a touch-down can be awarded. In a recent senior match a defending back in his own "in-goal" fielded a rolling ball, bounced- the end on the ground and proceed out towards the 25-yards line, thinking he had touched down. The referee had not blown his whistle, however, and was standing watching the players to see what they were going to do. Some of the attacking players suddenly woke up to the fact that no whistle had gone. They tackled the man with the ball, who by. this time had reached a point about ten yards from his goal-line. The team who thought that they had touched down were greatly surprised at the sudden turn of events and the player who had failed to ground the ball correctly was the subject of some plain speaking from some of his team-mates. Players must remember the ball must be grounded by the hand or hands. Attention is drawn to Law 5 which governs players' dress. A player must not wear dangerous projectionsbuckles, rings, etc. The principal offence is the nails in "ie studs of the boots. It should not be necessary to remind players that a boot inspection is to be held on such and such a date. It is their duty towards their teammates and opponents to see that their studs, brass eyelets, and general dress is in no way dangerous. At the conclusion of the general business, Mr. A. M. Fletcher gave a most interesting address on "Hints to Referees." with special reference to tact and control. He was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.