RUGBY FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15004, 28 May 1912, Page 9

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

THE REFEREE: HOW HE CAN MAKE OR MAR THE GAME.

BY A MEMBER

OF THE MANCHESTER AND DISTRICT

REFEREES' SOCIETY.

[ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.;) (Copyright in the United States of America.)

The referee was a tardy addition to the Rugby Union game, but his powers have grown rapidly until ho is now complete master of the play for "one glorious hour (and a half) of crowded life." For many seasons even after the establishment of the touch-judge with his white flag it was incumbent for rival captains to settle tho question of breaches of rule between themselves. At first the referee was a sort of field-master subject to two umpires, but ho has long emancipated himself of these. He is, as few spectators and players appreciate, responsible even for the marking-out of the ground. It may occasionally happen that the ten-yards-from-touch line is omitted, and what referee in tiio stern vigour of a hot attack, has time to nicely calculate, and insist upon this necessary distance. Who Makes the Best Referee? i The answer is undoubtedly the old player. Not only has he tho keenness for the game, but he is usually fit to keep up with the ball in its progress. Then too he knows the tricks of tho game and watches them, many being the little things that might escape a less seasoned man. He has an advantage in knowing the object of every combined movement, and can anticipate its progress by getting a move on and quickly taking up position. Many referees are such past-masters in this art that it is the greatest compliment to a player to hear that such and such a movement "took even the referee by surprise." An ex-player is quick at curbing any waste of time, and, as his temper has stood the test of many a kick and tackle, he is usually able to keep order easily in bis crowd of 30. Not every ex-player, however, has the" temperament required for a referee: there are the keen enthusiastic sort who forget to blow the whistle at critical momenta a knack they never conquer. Some good referees have never excelled at the practice of the game, but 1 don't think that you'll find one pavilion-critic in the lot who would do to referee a school-boys' game. The Referee's Qualifications. There are several "musts" which qualify the referee: He must know the rules of the game thoroughly. As a great authority puts it "We hold that every player should read up the laws before each season, but that a referee should study them before each match. Novel and unexpected points arise in almost every game, and it is only by constant study that a referee can hope to be prompt with his decisions, and unless a decision is given promptly it loses half ita effect" He must be thoroughly fit in body, so that he can keep up with the game.- A referee must always be as near the ball as possible in order to note forward passes, -side and similar infractions. Nowadays the Rugby game has been so opened out that the man who trots amiably in the rear is no use at all as a referee. A first-class referee will seldom be found close to the touch-line : by keeping on or about the direct line from posts to posts he makes the shortest cut after the play, and is in a splendid position to judge the flight of any sudden drop at goal. He must be fit mentally. His every decision should be instant, and he must follow closely every fluctuation of' the game. I have dwelt above on a complete mastery of the rules, but there is a danger of being upset by sudden appeals from the blind side of the scrum, etc. There is another side of mental fitness —the ability to judge whether minor infractions of the game are likely to result in the advantage of tho offenders. If rule 3, where this matter is put concisely, were more observed, there would be much less of the whistle in the game. The Referee's Temper. Necessarily allied with physical and mental fitness is the question of good temper. Bad temper should never appear in a referee, though a bad memory is not without its uses. If the referee is in a good humour—if he is out to enjoy the game, despite the weather or any other detail— is soon reflected in the players. It is a truism worth repeating *a badtempered referee makes two bad-tempered teams." The referee being himself, despite his " brief high authority," a man, should treat the players as men, and never bully them. " If you do that again," should never pass, his lips. Hints to Referees. Be firm — a calm control of the game; watch it thoroughly, and never de- i cide a point until it is scored. Almost every referee has, I am sure, let himself in once for ridicule by whistling for a dropped goal that tho wind finally carried outside, or some other equally precipitate thing. It is a proof of the good referee that such a thing never occurs again. Don't talk during the game. It is a good thing to stand well out of the ruck of the players. One of the finest of living referees rarely speaks a word—a sign is quite enough from him— on most occasions should be enough from you. Never argue on the field, nor allow players to argue with you. After a decision has been given it cannot be altered. A vacillating referee soon loses the confidence of the players and spoils the match. A good referee of my acquaintance never has a row with any player; tho grousiest man has no chance against his genial smile, even though, a free kick beneath tho bar has been given. To see his broad smile is to make one remember that football ia always a game though it may be a serious one, and his mild, " Now, old chap, it's all right," cools down all the incipient bit of trouble. Tact is the most important attribute of the referee. Some are born with it no doubt, but many have to leant it at no small expense to amour propre. Contrast this, the war of a great referee in his day with that of my acquaintance given above : " Once, when I was refereemg in an important county game, one of the players took exception to a decision of mine, and asked mo to state tho reasons. My reply was, ' I am here to give decisions and not to justify them, and if you attempt to interfere with me in the discharge of my duty I shall order you off the field of play.' The effect was electric, and I would strongly advise other referees to reply in a similar manner." Personally, I think the same effect could have been obtained in a manner less savouring of weak fireworks. Always remember that a tactful poor referee is often more successful than a tactless good one. After all wo play Rugby football for pleasure, and not as a business. More Tips. It is a mark of the tactful referee that he takes pains that the scrummage is formed properly, and that tho ball is put in without delay. Some halfbacks are fearful dallyers while their eight men aro pushing for all they are worth. Such delays rouse the temper of forwards; and, further, is not fair to them, for they aro working to no purpose. The instant any bad temper shows, call the men together, and let them have your candid opinion of such foolishness. But don't mistake clean,

strong tackling for vicious play. One of the most difficult tasks a referee has to cope with is the watching of the scrummage. There are a host of things to look after : that the ball is put in straight; thot the feet are not " up that the halfback is not dodging offside at the blind side. Don't whistle too much—neither players nor spectators appreciate the soloist in this line. Tho rules say that a referee must carry a whistle, and that on eleven stated contingencies he must use it. Three of these rules cover almost ceremonial occasions : at lock-off. drop-out, half-time, noside, or when a goal is kicked. The working occasions are the following only :—For a fair catch, to caution against rough play, to prevent dangerous play, when the boll or running player touch "the referee, irregularity in play by wluch the guilty side gain an advantage, and the almost synonymous instances, to stop the game "for any purpose," or "when he wishes to enforce any penalty." After detailing the occasions, which aro the only ones for which the whistle must bo used, a further analysis is hardly necessary. An old referee, advising me on my* start in the craft, gave me the following as a useful tip:—" For a start, give as . many free kicks as possiblo in the first five minutes; put the fear of the Lord into them, both sides." Rather curious advicebut often effective. Players on both sides recognise you intend to stop irregularities, and also punish them. Of course, tlie irregularities must take place first for the referee cannot give free kicks for nothing. Briefly summed up, the advice is, " Do the right thing and at once; don't hesitate because tho game in young." Players, too, can help greatlv bv learning the rules of the. sport. In districts where Rugby is not yet widely played, there may be a deficiency of good referees for practice matches, but there is often no excuse for the ignorance of rules shown by some otherwise excellent players. The Hardest Game to Referee. In a district where Rugby Union football is reviving after years of dullness, one gets all classes of games to referee. The most difficult are those between teams who have not more than an elementary knowledge of the rides. They do not know how to tackle properly, and the crashes and tangles of limbs in some dashing attack are almost terrifying. In good football, a player breaking, sav, the offside ride or making a knock-on, will generally hesitate a moment, and so catch the referee's eye, but these raw fellows go dashing ahead at full speed until the whistle blows. It is in such games that one meets tho gentle linesman at his best, and blindest. The linesman is only allowed to give the referee a little assistance certainly, but when he, too, wants watching, the control of the play becomes difficult. Can Referees be Trained ? is a question much, discussed every seaExaminations and certificates of proficiency have been mooted as a means of recruiting our ranks. My own opinion is that such exams, will prove that the men know the rules, but, as I have pointed out above, a mere knowledge of tho rules docs not make even a passable referee. Apropos of thus examination scheme, a story has been told at intervals about the baiting of a famous Welsh international by one such board — " Supposing a ball, kicked high, fell on the crossbar and lodged in the angle of post and —what would yon call it V The international proved his fitness to be a referee by ejaculating : " Call it—why, I should call it a blooming miracle." I am often asked why men referee ? For my own part I must reply that it is because I desire the success of the Rugby Union code. No longer are we fit to play, but we believe that in this secondary activity we may do some service before old ago relegates us to the grandstand and committee room stage. It is not pleasant to stand in front of a raging partisan crowd, and there are occasions when tho way to the station may be very hard. Spectators hardly seem at times to realise that the referee is human, and just as apt as they are to make mistakes. Still, do your duty as well as possible, and when the gamo is over, don't go over it again. •i ; - " ~,. PUBLIC SCHOOLS' MATCHES. NOTES AND COMMENTS. There were several attractive games in the Auckland I'ubiio Schools' Rugt>y Union's competitions on Saturday last. In tiie A grade, on JNo. i ground, Devonport and Iteuiuera boys were seen in a very evenly-contented game. The boys irom Devonport upheld Uieir reputation lor putting up a good tight, and it was not until Uie fii>al lu minutes that ivoiauera crossed tuo line. Both set* of forwards showed to advantage, but liemuera had superiority in the buck. division, several of tno set playing a hue heady game. The oest back for Shore was Dacre, -who saved the situation time and again ior his side. Hill and Kay scored useful tries for Remuera, tho first try being tee result oi a fine rally on Remuera s pare Onehunga, though playing 2fimcly, lacked the experience oi the .Newiooj. E&nt contingent, and duitered defeat by it points. The Uneliunga backs would do well to work up some good line-kicking, and so render mucn service to their forwards, who form a willing combination. .Newton East forwards must bo on their ' best behaviour against Dcvonport's forward : division next Saturday. in tho Ponsonby-Parnell contest the former team was quite outclassed, though one or two of the Tonsonby backs got through much defensive work. I'arnoll's exhibition lacked finish, and many chances were lost owing to weak handling among tbe 'backs, a disastrous weakness when meeting such teams as ltcmuera and Newton East, 'the backs should endeavour to know ono another's play, and so work up more combination. Another team failing to make a showing in the A grade on. Saturday was Mount Eden, who went under to Grafton by M points. Tho losers were never in tho running, but their defeat was relieved of disgrace by the good play of one or two. The Grafton boys were keen after tho line, and 6ov«n ran over, Beachen (6), Waugh (2), getting the largest sharo of tho .points. in tho B grade the Mount Albert team, playing Newton West, made no mistake about retaining its premier position with Boresford-stroot. Mount Albert displayed fine combination, some of the backs using ttwir brains to advantage. Newton West, though outclassed, again put up a good fight, Barnes and Hobson being to the fore. Newton West is to lie congratulated on its tine showing each Saturday. Mount Allxjrfc's right _ wing-tbreequarter possesses much pace, but is inclined to hesitate at the critical moment. Off tho mark quickly and keep going strongly should bo i ever in his mind. Five of tho team par- ] ticipated in the scoring on Saturday. The Mount Albert-JBercsford-strect event for next Saturday should provide a good \ game, each team at present having six championship points to its credit. Tho Bercsford boys proved too much for Bayfield! and camo off victors, 18 to nil. The latter team put up a fair fight but the experience of the former told its tale. Bores- \ ford's proposition for Saturday next should lx> more difficult to solve. However, the i team is sure to be all out for first place,. and can assure. Mount Albert of a good game. Napier-street again played a. stubborn game though going under to Pitt-street, six to nil. For Pitt-street Oredon and Heighten scored,.the former's try being the result of a fine determined run, in marked contrast to tho hesitating attempts made by too many of tbe backs among the boys of the various teams. Napier-street's halfback plays finely, but lacks much-needed support The most interesting match in the C grade on Saturday last took place on No. + ground between Ellerslie and Epsom. Last year's champions were expected te make a good fight for supremacy, but failed in their efforts by two points. The forwards.of both teams are good combinations, and it is difficult to decide which pack is the better, but Epsom were stronger in the back division. The try scored by Punakai was a fine effort on the Maori's part, 'but was also slightly lucky, as several Ellerslie boys made but half-hearted attempts to collar high, instead of collaring low. Ellerslie endeavoured to equalise matters, and ultimately scored, but the try being unconverted, and I'unakai's having been converted by Lovell, Epsom came off winners, five to three. The principal match of this grade takes place next Saturday, June 1, when Epsom meets Avondale. Normal School is to be congratulated on registering its first points this season, and though defeated by tho more experienced Newmarket boys, tho former team should make itself felt in the second round. The following is the list of matches to be played in the publio schools' championships on Saturday next:— ,

A Grade: Onehunga v. Mount Eden; I>evonport v. Newton East; Remuera v. Parnell; Ponsonby v. Grafton. B Grade: Bcresford-street v. Mount Albert; Pitt-street v. Bayfield; Napierstreet v. Newton West. O Grade: Avondale v. Epsom; Newmarket v. Ellerslie; Nelson-street v. Normal. THE BAY OF PLENTY TEAM. TO PLAY WELLINGTON ON MONDAY. Some confusion has arisen with regard to the Bay of Plenty Union's match against Auckland. Tho match was originally set down for June 3, but when the delegates to the annual meeting of tho New Zealand Rugby Union wore in Wellington tho engagements of the moro important unions wore arranged, and tho Bay of Plenty-Auck-land match was shifted to August 3. In the list of fixtures then drawn up tho Bay of Plenty team was referred to as the " Native team." and this obscured the posit The Bay of Plenty team as telegraphed by our Botorua correspondent, and published*™ yesterday's Hebald, will meet the Wellington representatives on Monday next, not the Aucklanders. The Auckland Rugby Union will, therefore, have no match on Monday. UNDER LEAGUE RULES. LOWER WAIKATO LEAGUE. ' At Taupiri on Saturday Ngaruawahia seniors beat Taupiri by five points (a try scored by K Quintal, and converted by F. Hall) to nil. _ In the junior competition, Ngaruawahia beat Moehaki at Ngaruawahia by six points to nil. Tries were scored by Prendergast and Wright St. Cloud, neither being eonverted.