RUGBY FOOTBALL RULES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 670, 2 April 1923, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL RULES.

REFEREES IX CONFERENCE

AMENDMENTS CONFIRMED

(Per Press Association,) CHRISTCTIUSCH, March 51

At the annual conference of the New Zealand Referees' Association the followin:;' rules were confirmed:—(l) A serum being for a breach, and the presumption being that the ball must be fairly put in, ii is immaterial who puts it in; (2) if a plaver with one foot over the goal line mui the other in play picked up the ball and forced it. the referee shall give a carry-over, except where the ball is taken ill ihe air, when a force-down is allowable; (3) that rule 19, relating to breaches within lOvds of the tone), lines, shall refer only to such breaches between the twentylive lines; (4) where a marker is knocked out and has to leave the Held, the referee ia,n give Ihe kick to anyone else or order a -i rum: (5) that whore a player kicks the ball into touch from outside his twentylive, after the call of time, play must cease; (6) dial the placer must be behind the ball except when lying on the ground to place the ball; (7) llrnl in the case of a knock-on into touch in goal from the held of play, a drop-out shall be given; (8) that where a fullback falls on the ball and does not attempt to get clear in front. of the attacking players, the referee shall award a try, if he is of opinion that a try would have been scored. 'The conference also resolved:—(l) That touch judges should only indicate where Ihe ball goes into touch, the referee decides whether the ball lauded in touch or not; (2) that the wing-forward shall bo regarded as an obstructionist, and shall be penalised for obstructing or handling an opponent, wherever the ball may be; _((3) .that a player cannot follow the ball into the scrum 'with his outside foot. The conference adopted an involved "off-side" definition, a summary of which is that an oft'-sider, waiting within the 10yds limit, cannot be put on side Uy any act of his own or his opponents, but cannot be penalised for remaining passive and ( n king no part in Ihe game, provided his position does not hamper his opponents.