RUGBY CONTROL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 17 May 1928, Page 6

RUGBY CONTROL.

MEETING OF MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. INTERPRETATION OF RULES. [by yeuegbaph—press association.] WELLINGTON, May 16. A meeting of the management committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union -was held to-night. The following interpretations oi rules were agreed upon; — In the case of a collared player, not a tackled one, coming to the ground with -the hall in his -possession and getting rid of it, such player is not to be penalised if he plays the hall with -lus feet while still on the ground. In eases whore the ball -goes into touch the referee is- -allowed to alter his decision if -he 'has given one and then finds that the touch flag is tip. A referee has power to order a free kick in the case of a pass- forward to a player off-side. Messrs E. Wylie -and E. McKenzie were appointed to act with a member of the New Zealand Referees’ Association as a referees’ appointment hoard -for the season, the affiliated unions to submit lists of competent referees in order of merit by June 15. Messrs S. S. Dean, H. S. Leith and E. Wylie were re-elected a finance committee, and Messrs N. -C. Kitto, H. S. Leith and J. G. Roache were appointed a Moasear Cup committee. . ENGLISH TEAM’S TOUR. A letter was received from the International Rugby Board apologising for not being able to accept the New Zealand Rugby Union’s: offer for a team to tour Now Zealand in 1930. The letter stated that the board found it impossible to get together a team fully representative of the four Home countries in 1930. The -board would much like to have accepted the invitation. The hoard’s decision was regretted by the New Zealand Union, hut Mr Dean stated -that for the life of him he could not -see how tho board could know that it would be impossible to get a strong team in 1930. He -moved that the board be informed that the N.Z.R.U. regretted that they wore unable to send a team in 1930, but were very grateful to the English Union for stepping into, the breach -and deciding to send a team. FIRST MATCH IN SOUTH AFRICA.'

The folloAving cable avus received from the South. African Rugby Union: “By speeding up the boat from Durban tho All Black team could land- at CapctoAvn only one day late; otherwise by mail train they could arrive by the 26th and if necessary play the first game on the 31st. Mr Hornig is deciding betAveen -the above alternatives. If the decision is -to delay as suggested the board’s president Avill wireless Mr Hornig from Durban and keep you -posted. “The cancellation -of the first game against a team from the county clubs AA'ould probably exclude the whole team from meeting your players. The -game is regarded as an exhibition rather than a trial of strength, and an opportunity of welcome. Everyone will make full alloAA'ance for your -disadvantages and grte every credit in a sporting spirit. Cancellation means intense and Avide-spre-ad disappointment, thousands having arranged to come great -distances for this Avelcomc, and the seats -are already sold. Tho shipping company now expects the Euripides here at daybreak on May 27, thus -allowing the team two days ashore at Durban.’’ Mr Dean said the South African team had acted in a sporting spirit in keeping the first fixture in New Zealand in 1921 after a late arrival, and our team should act in a similar manner if possible.

It w r as agreed to leave the question of playing the first match to the discretion of the manager of the New Zealand team (Mr W. Hornig).