BRIGHTER RUGBY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 119, 21 April 1936, Page 12

BRIGHTER RUGBY.

LAWS TO BE ENFORCED. “I count the conference as the most successful we have yet had. Most of the delegates showed a remarkable grasp of the laws o'f the game, and they impressed me as a -most intelligent body of men. I consider it probable that greater unanimity of rulings will be obtained throughout New Zealand as a result of the conference.” Thus said Mr D. McKenzie, chairma.n of the executive of tile New Zealand Rugby Referees’ Association at the conclusion Of the referees’ conference held at New Plymouth recently. It was decided to instruct all referees belonging to associations affiliated to follow to the letter the laws of the game and to refuse to allow any elasticity of. interpretation. This motion was proposed by Mr J. S. King, president of the Wellington Association, who condemned the drift from the strict laws. Brighter Rugby, he said, lay not with the referees, but with the players themselves. Other delegates favoured the principle of sticking strictly to the laws. REFEREES BLAMED. When the public were hot pleased with a game, said Mr King, the referee was made the scapegoat. It was not the referee who .could brighten .the game, but those who walked on to the field and for 80 or 90 minutes trotted round using their feet Only. “I know of no game where the laws can be applied with free interpretation,” Mr King declared. “Young referees are warned not to see too much and to spare the whistle. Yet it is the players themselves who are responsible for drab football. 1 know of no other game where breaking of the laws is allowed.” Speaking in support of Mr King, Mr A. A. Lucas mentioned an Auckland international referee who was given a trial as referee in a senior match and who never took over the whistle again. He had objected to the multitude of instructions lie had been given before the garfleis. Not 10 per cent, of Rugby players knew the game, contended Mr Lucas. When they did there would be better and brighter Rugby. . . “There is such a thing as the spirit of the game,” said Mr McKenzie. “By playing the advantage ride minor infringements can be ignored. I am surprised that Mr King should have said younger referees were being taught to Use. their discretion. That is not so. The association strives to have the laws of the game followed always. There is nothing Wrong with Mr King’s motion, but the words he used cottld have been in a different strain.” Ignorance was no excuse, said Mr J. D. CoOgan (King Country). The referee should not have to instruct the players on the field. It was rather a duty of club coaches and selectors to see that the playerjs knew the rules of the game. WIND FORWARD MAY RETURN. Mr McKenzie, interviewed by the Taranflki Daily News after the conference, said there had been little discussions on Some subjects. Most of the delegates Were new. Each had shown a good knowledge of essentials. The Rugbv season was likely to be improved an the result of the discussions. Beliefs that the amended kick-into-touch rule and' the 2-3-2 scrum and proper wing-forward were almost certain to return were expressed by Mr McKenzie. “The New Zealand Rugby Uiiion at its annual meeting haS to consider tlio points,” lie said, “but I believe opinion will strongly favour the return of these,” One rule of importance for the new season, he concluded, Was the declaration as an illegal act on an opponent pushing a player stooping to the ball. This would prevent the needless obstruction, particularly to a half-back as he stooped to pick up a rolling ball.