RUGBY REFEREES

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 102, 30 March 1929, Page 4

RUGBY REFEREES

NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL CONFERENCE. The annual' conference of the New Zealand Rugby Referees’ Association was commenced yesterday at the Showgrounds, Mr D. McKenzie, Dominion president, being in the chair. About forty delegates were present from all over New Zealand. WELCOMES TO DELEGATES.

Mr J. A. Coiquhoun, president of the Manawatu Rugby Council and president of the Manawhenua Rugby Union, in paying a welcome to the delegates, said that New Zealand had several unique features. The plant and bird life was to a certain extent unique, but our adherence to Rugby football was even more remarkable. No one could doubt the tremendous benefit that Rugby football had been to the manhood of the country. It was apparent to all lovers of the sport that referees gave their support and time to the game unstintingly and yet, strange to say, the referees were frequently the most strongly cricitised of all connected with Rugby. They controlled the • games with the wholesome discipline necessary to any sport and especially necessary in a lusty young country such as New Zealand. He again welcomed them to Palmerston North, which was almost a city, and congratulated them on the large attendance.

Mr C. White, chairman of the Manawatu Rugby Referees’ Association, also extended a welcome to the delegates. The conference had been instituted some years ago and at first he had been somewhat doubtful if the expense was warranted. But as time went on he became more and more convinced that ' the conference was necessary. Only by getting round the table and having face to face talks could they hope, to obtain uniformity of ruling and interpretation from the Bluff to the North Cape. This was absolutely necessary if interprovincial matches wero to be played with the referees’ decisions satisfactory to both teams. The rules of Rugby were becoming more intricate every year and consequently their interpretation was more difficult. On the motion of the chairman, the delegates passed a vote of thauks to the local delegates tor their hearty welcome. Mr McKenzie stated that he had been president of the conference since 1915 and the attendance on this occasion was one of the best so far and indicated that interest was being maintained. Delegates present as the representafives of their associations and entitled to vote were: Messrs. D. McKenzie (president, West Cosat), L. Sievers (Rotorua), A. M. Suns (South Can--terbury), E. S. Hylton (Motueka), all. of the Dominion executive, C. White (Manawatu), W. G. Phillips (Horowhenua), W. E. Gibbons (Rangitikei),E. H. Lett (Bush), A. S. Berry (Dannevirke), W. W. Forrest (Hawke s Bav), J. F. Eggletoii (Taranaki), H. F R Miller (Southland), R. Reid (Nelson), H. Webster (Marlborough), R. Clancy (Otago), J. H. Lynskey (King Country), W. Spooner (Wairarapa), A. B. Charters (North Auckland), G. Bradley RWellington), S. Hollander (Auckland), Mr V. Kronfield (Auckland)., W. ,H. Rowe (Wanganui), CM R., OJsen« (poverty* Bay) and B. S. Marshall (Waikato). In addition .to the foregoing, a number of other referees were present and took part in the discussions, but did not vote ias they were not the accredited delegates of their respective associations. CONSIDERATION OF REMITS. The conference then proceeded to the consideration of the remits. The first j business was the confirmation’of interpretations given by the Dominion executive at various meeting during the 'past year in response to questions subjmittecl by different associations. The following answers to questions [ were given, in most .cases without discussion. In almost all cases the answers confirmed those given by the | executive.

Question: In the event of the time being called by time-keepers on the toucn-line and the hall is kicked into touch on the fidl from outside the 25 yard line, is the referee justified in finally stopping the game?—Answer: Yes, the whistle should then be blown for no side.

Question: In the event of three or more players standing on the place where a free kick has been awarded and the ■■hall in transit, hits or touches any man on’its upward flight, apart from the man'who is actually standing on the exact spot defined by the referee, can another kick be awarded ? Answer: No, it being assumed that the players referred to have remained quite passive. Question: A team has touched down and the other side wastes time getting back./ According to your ruling no effective drop-out can be taken until all the opposing side are beyond the 25 yard line. - What is the penalty for a team wasting time? Cah .a penalty, kick bo given under.law. 35? —Answer:; No,, the referee, should: recommence play as soon as he. thinks. reasonable time lias been for Rhe attacking side-to get back into position. _ . Question: A kick at goal is being taken from .a mark and “no charge, is awarded. The placer then places the ball, stands up in front of the ball and remains there while kick is being taken. (See law 23, par 3). Is there any penalty, and when can he play the ball ?—Answer: The player referred to should be ruled as in frqnt. The kick is therefore forfeited and a scrummage should be ordered at the spot. Question: A, player with one foot on the 25 yard line kicks out on the full. Where does the line out take place? On the 25 yards line or where- the ball crosses the line ? —Answer: The 25 yards line being regarded as part of the 25 yards area, the line-out should take place where the ball crossed the touch line. Question:’ In. the event of an infringement taking place say a foot from the goal-line whereby the penalty is a scrum and the defending side hook the ball, but before it is out of the. scrum, but over the goal-line, .a defending player touches down, shall a dropout be allowed or another scrum ordered for wilful heel back P—Answer: Note (7) on page 41 of the handbook reads, as follows: “When a scrummage crosses the goal-line with the ball, still in the. scrummage, if the attacking side touch-down a try; shall be awarded, but if the defending side do so. a touch-down shall'be-allowed.” Question: At .the kick off can the opposing side charge after the kick has been taken and play the ball before it reaches the ten yards limit?—Answer: No, but they have the option of requiring tlie other side to again kick off or have a scrummage at the centre of the field.

"Question: A2 is off side within ten yards of opponent 81, who is waiting to receive the ball which has been kicked by A 1; ,B 1 catches the hall, which is then passed to 82, and .then to B 3; B 3 then passes the ball back to 81. If A 1 then tackles 81, the former having made no attempt to retire beyond the ten yjards limit, can he then be penalised for being off side?—Answer: No; the referee having allowed the play , to go on after the first breach, he could not penalise A 1 after the ball had been played by more than one succeeding B player. .Question: At kick off, the ball has

travelled the necessary 10 yards, but is then caught by .the wind and blown back out of touch- in the kicker’s half, not having touched the ground. Can the opposite side accept that kick and have the line-out where the ball crossed the line or is the line-out given on the half-way line from which the kick is taken ?—Answer: It can accept the kick and have the line-out from where the ball crossed touch-line. Question: Is it legal to fend an opponent with the open hand ? —Answer: Yes.—The chairman pointed out that a fend was different from a deliberate blow. If a player struck another, there was only one place for him and the referee should exercise his power and put him off. Delegates came to the decision that the rule was sufficiently stringent in its present form and the remit was confirmed.

OFFSIDE PLAYERS. Question: How can an offside player standing within the 10 yards legally participate in the game again? According to your rules he is out of the game. ' The _ referee does not inflict the penalty kick because his opponents have dashed off in a passing bout which may culminate in a try. It sems that by courtesy the referee allows him to engage in play again after an appreciable time limit, but there is nothing in the rules to allow for' that.—Answer: The advantage rule can be applied in cases of off-side; otherwise, see paragraphs (a) to (d) under law 18, pages 23 and 24 of handbook.

Question: Re wilfully throwing the ball into touch: The rule reads as if the penalty or scrummage may be taken further out'than 10 yards, right into the middle of the field if the nonoffending side so wish. Should not the words at least be deleted to bring it into conformity with law 28 (a) ?- Answer: The free kick or scrummage must be awarded at the spot where the infringement took place, except that 'in the case oh the ball having been' thrown injo touch from a point less than 10 yards therefrom the penalty must me awarded at the 10 yards mark.

Question: If a defending player werestanding with a foot on the goal line and an attacking player placed the hall on the ground against the foot, what ruling is to'he given a Fry or a scrummage at the spot?—Answer: A try if hall is in contact with goalline ; otherwise play goes on. Question: If a player “A” is standing with one foot in touch and the other one in the field of play .and player “B” kicks the ball, “A” takes it (on the full) where is the line-out to itake place. Opposite the spot, where “B” kicked from or where “A” catches the ball ?—Answer: Assuming the ball was kicked from outside the 25 yards area the line-out should take place opposite the spot from where the ball was kicked by “B.” Answer: “A” team has a score or lead of four points. “B” team is attacking (‘A’s”' goal line opposite the goal posts, and a try appears certain, with every chance of converting making five points, and only two minutes to call of “No side.” One cf “A”, players realising the danger of losing, deliberately gets “off-side” to force the referee to award a “free kick” for. which the score' is three if the goal is kicked, but time is called immediately after the kick: Score “A” .4, “B” 3. —Answer: In such a case'the referee should apply the advantage rule or award a scrummage where the ball was last played. Question : The whistle had been blown for a scrum and while the scrum was taking place the bell went for time. The leading;team hooked the ball and*.'a player got possession and! deliberately turned round and* kicked, the ball -into the dead hall area to finish tlie game. Can'the’player'be'penalised v or: "must the game finish?— Answer No; play is'finished.' (See note ' (e) under Law 10, * page 16 of. handbook.

Queyfiqn: A drop kick is made by a player kicking it‘at the first rebound' as it rises. The question was asked if a player could let- tlie rebound rise say six or eight inches and get his foot under it, provided the ball was still rising:' This was done in .a practice match close'to the goal.—Answer: The conference decided that the correct answer was “No.” The executive committee had decided that the action was quite legal, but the chairman stated that the Canterbury Association had pointed out that this was wrong. The action was undoubtedly illegal. • • Question: A scrum is down a yard from the goal line and the back row of the scrum is in-goal; the defending team hook the ball to the goal line .and force down. Can the team be penalised for hooking the ball back? —Answer: Yes; another scrum should be ordered where the ball was kicked back. . ’ ’. » !

PLAYER ON KNEES. Question: A player is on his knees (both knees) and the ball comes near him and he pipks it up and puts it' over the line to score a . try. The player in question has not been, in possession of the hall previously. What is the decision ?—Answer : A try. • Question : A.l, is an off-side . player who is attempting to return on-sido, but when in close proximity to 8.l notices that the latter is . waiting to receive the ball which is being brought down at the feet of the A forwards. A.l immediately attempts to retire beyond the :10yds limit taking the direction indicated which is towards B 2 Before A.l has reached tlie 10 yards limit 8.l gains possession of tlie ball and passes, back to 8.2. Question: (a) Can A.l intercept the pass? (b) Can A.l tack’s 8.2 as soon as 8.2 receives the ball?—Answer: (a) No. (b) Yes, if he has retired beyond the 10yds limit. , . . Question: A full-back is in possession of the ball and all his team mates are off-side; he falls in touch and leaves the ball in tlie field of play, one of Ins side runs behind him and the ball, and kicks the latter into touch. Was he offside ?—Yes. He was off-side m accordance with the recent interpretation of the English Laws Committee. Question: Affair catch is takemingoal; is the mark where the eatch is taken, or on tne goal line?—Answer: Where the catch is taken. ■ Suestion: On a windy day the ball is ed over the head of D’s full-back. The ball while still in the air crosses the goal line and then is blown back into D’s arms out in the field of play. D catches the ball and runs back, and touches down., The referee allowed a force down; was he right?—Answer: No; referee should rule that the ball has been carried back. Question: D’s full-back catches the ball in the field of play, turns and runs to the corner post, reaching out and touches the post with the ball, D still being in the field of play. The referee gave * a scrum - at the spot where the ball was carried back from; was , he' right?—Yes. . . Question: D is running with the ball under his arm; one of A’s backs strikes the ball from under D’s arm with his shut fist, the ball going forward two yards before A picks it up. The referee blows for a knock on; was he right ? Answer: Yes. THROWING THE BALL" IN. , Question: In the event of p.pjayer npt throwing the ball in five, yards or a player preventing the ball going in five yards, is the penalty only , a scrummage under law 36 Answer: See notes under law 27, page 32 of handbook. Repetition of infringement Should be dealt with by awarding a penalty kick

against the offening side. Question:. A player standing, in his own ingoal, with both feet behind the goal line, reaches out for the ball in the field of play-and forces. What is the decision, a carry back or a force down?< —Answer: “Carry back” (decision of English Rugby Union). Question : .The teams are A and B. A set scrum is in progress. B hook the ball and screw the scrum, throwing A’s scrum to one side. The ball is then in B’s scrum, in front of the back row. This scrum, still in formation, begins to move upfield. None of A’s forwards are in front of them. As soon as B’s scrum moves forward, one of the back-row men kicks the hall forward and through the scrum, just in front of the hookers. One of the hookers breaks away and plays the ball. Is that hooker off-side ?—Answer : No; in the instance mentioned the scrummage lias not broken up. Question : A player with tne hall in his possession falls to the ground; can an opponent pull such player off the hall ?—Answer : Yes.

Question: Does the rule imply that a player going down with the hall in his possession must immediately get up or roll away from the ball, but, that a player who, while lying on the. ground reaches out and gets possession of the hall while still in that position, can pass or kick the hall ?—Answer : Yes, but in the second case he can also play the ball with his foot or pass it provided he does so immediately.

Question: In view of the rule that a player can go forward on both knees whilst in possession of the ball, can a player now take a fair catch whilst on ? one knee and whilst on both knees. —Answer: No; (New Zealand Rugby Union decision). Question: Can opposing side charge •and prevent te ball from going the required 10 yards ? —Answer : The assumption in tlie reply was that the ball would not have reached the 10 yards, but if the action of the opposition prevented the ball from reaching the 10 yards line a re-kick should be ordered. . Question: A. kicked the hall. D. standing with one foot in touch caught on the full the ball which in the referee’s opinion would have landed in the field of play. He gave a line out where D stood. Was this correct? —Answer: Yes.

Question: A place kick at goal is being taken following a fair catch; the ball is placed on the ground, hut to avoid the opposing charging players, the placer lying on the ground picks up the hall and passes to one of his own players. What should the decision be—Answer: Scrummage at the mark. INTERESTING POINT. Question: During the progress of the play the full-hack, who was the last line of defence, kicked the ball and was prevented, by being collared, from taking part in the immediately succeeding play. The ball was miskicked towards the defending goal-line. One of the full-hack’s own side, who was off-side when the ball was kicked, ran behind the place where the full-back played the ball. Did this action place him on-side, and was the referee right in allowing play to go on ?—Answer: The New Zealand Rugby Union’s desision is “Yes.”

Question: Similar to above, the fullback, after kicking the ball close to the toucliline, was thrown into touch and to the ground. His off-side player ran back to where he crossed the touchline and then played the ball. . Was he in order in doing so Answer : The. New Zealand Rugby ? .Onion’s, decision /is “Yes.” , • -v,

Question: In the event of an attacking player being tackled, say a foot or a yard from goal line, and he looses possession of the ball, which has foiled over goal line and is liow in goal, can either of these two men or any other player play the ball without first bringing the ball into play with the foot. In other words, can attacking player score a try, or a defending player claim a touch down, without first of all playing the ball with his foot?—Answer:. No! the ball must be played with the foot.

Question: In the “line-out’.’ a forward finds >fhat he has no vis-a-vis, or, in other words, is not marked. The ball is thrown out straight, and this player, as is sometimes done, swings round at right angles to the direction in which the line out is facing and steps into the vacant space, in his opponent’s side of the “line-out,” with his back to his opponents’ goal (or facing his own) and takes the ball cleanly in his hands. At the moment he takes the ball his feet and body are therefore in line with those of Ins opponents’ while his hands (his arms being outstretched to take the ball), are probably in line with his own forwards. Is the player acting thus, offside ?—Answer: Yes. THE LINE-OUT.

Question: When does a “line-out” cease to be a “line-out”—immediately the ball leaves the hands of the player throwing it out, or .after it has been taken or caught byone or more of the players?—Answer: After it has been handled by a player. ■ • Question: A player is lying on his back with his feet in touch and his body in play; the ball is resting on his chest, but he is not touching the ball with his hands. (a) Is the ball in touch ? (b). Is it in such a position that it can be played (e.g. picked up) by an opposing player?—Answer: (a) No. (b) Yes. . Question. —Two captains agree to play with three balls —the playing ball and a spare one for each line —provided the referee agree to give players reasonable time to get up to line-outs. Would the referee, in the event of his agreeing, be considered to have contracted out of the laws of the game as defined in law 10, which reads: “He is not entitled to contract out of the laws of the game by agreeing with both side to vary or not to recognise any law.” .If your answer is a negative one, would you define the meaning of “reasonable time”? —Answer: This should not be regarded as contracting out of the laws of the game, but as a sensible .arrangement. If the ball were thrown in too soon it would be within the discretion of the referee to order another throw in. It is understood that this practice is followed in Wellington. Question: Can a scrum be taken m place of - a line-out from a ball kicked out from beyond the line of 25 ? Answer: No, if kicked out on full a line-out must be ordered. Question: Upon a free kick being taken behind the kicked’s. goal line, a player is in front of the kicker. Where should the syds scrummage be taken? —Answer: In the field of play syds from the goal line and direeetly oppo : site the spot where the mark was awarded. q PENALTY KICK.

Question: A referee has blown his whistle for a penalty. kick, and has awarded.the same; the bell then goes for time before the player has taken the kick, is the referee correct if he calls time and disallows this kick? — Answer: Referee must allow the kick to be taken. ~... , - Question: A is pressing hard near B’s goal line. One of B’s players, who is in his ingoal area, takes a mark. * The referee blows liis whistle to award the mark, and while blowing it one of B’s opponents rush the player with the ball who puts it down and forces. The referee allowed the force. Was it oorrect or should the player

have, been made to take his kick P Answer: The referee’s decision was incorrect; the player should have been required to take his kick. . Question: In a place-kick from a mark the ball .is not placed on the ground, but is kicked out 'of the placer’s hands, which are on the ground with the ball resting in them. What is the correct decision? A scrummage at the .spot or should play be allowed to go on? It is understood, of. course, that a goal if kicked would be disallowed. —Answer: A scrummage at the spot. Question: A scrum is formed close to A’s line. The ball is heeled out and the half secures and passes to A.l who is in his own ingoal. He passes to 8.2, also ingoal, and when he attempts to run collides with the referee, who has also retired to the ingoal, and in the collision 8.2 loses possession. A player on the' opposing side rushes through and touches down. What should be the decision —Answer: Ascrum from where the ball was passed back. The ball was dead when the player with the ball touched the referee.

Question: Consequent upon a lineout a player jumps for the ball, catches it and is then surrounded by players' of both sides. After an appreciable interval he comes up through the middle of the melee and passes the ball to one of his side. Is this permissible and, if not, .what is the penalty ? Answer: If the player has not been tackled, an action of this sort is permissible.

Question: Can a player who takes the ball in general play, that is, not after a lineout, can come up through the melee and pass to one of his side? —Answer: If the player has not been tackled, an action of this sort is permissible. Question: The full-hack, after kicking the ball, was thrown into touch aild to the ground. His off-side player ran back to where he crossed the touch line and played the ball. Was he in order in doing so ?—The matter was referred to the executive for consultation with the New Zealand Rugby Union. • GENERAL BUSINESS. * Mr Lynskey (King Country) submitted the case of a player running down the touchline, just inside the field, but carrying the hall in such a manner that it was over the line. Was the

ball out of play or not?—The opinion of delegates was that the The chairman announced that copies of the rules book of the London Society of Rugby Football Union Referees had been received. This contained the lat ; est .rulings of the English Rfejees Union under which games would oe played’ this season. The rulings w considered by the delegates. , ,j the most important stated that football grounds should be marked out so. that no part of the goalposts projects inside the field of play. , , , , Mr McKenzie announced that he naa arranged to give weekly lectures ovei the wireless on Rugby rules. On Mr Kronfield’s suggestion, Mr McKenzie promised to have the fee-,

tions 8 fl? tha£ks'ofthe tendered to motion, a hearty ? n waß accorded the chairvote, of thanks was ~, meeting: man for Ins condu consideration At the conclusion of the c of the, interpretation of rule man the manner in which they had handled the business.

Tli French Chamber of Deputies h*3 adopted the Foch Pension Bill.

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