THE RUGBY GAME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20115, 28 November 1928, Page 16

THE RUGBY GAME.

I NEW ZEALAND PROBLEMS. A DECISION ON RULINGS. ENGLISH UNION'S ATTITUDE. [FROM Ol'R own correspondent.] LONDON. Oct. 16. Tlio interesting announcement that tlio Now Zealand Union had asked tlio Rugby Union to adjudicate on two points that had arisen in matches in their own coun- • try was made at tho Inst meeting of the London Referees' Society. These points, and tlio rulings given, were brought before tho big annual meeting of referees which was held (lie next day. s What had happened was this. In a a certain match tho fullback, owing to being - tackled, miskicked the ball and was Huni* * into touch. One of bis own team who ' was in front of him promptly ran back 1 and played tho ball. Was this player r entitled to do so, or should lio have been ) penalised y 1 Tho Rugby Union ruled that the second player had no right to play the ball - while the fullback was lying in touch. ) It basoo its decision on law 10, which states that the kicker must be in the field . of plav to put an offside player ouside. ■ The kicker in this instance being in , touch, and nut m the field of play, none of Ins team who were in front of him 'i when lie kicked could be placed onsido while ho remained in touch. Consequently, if the bull went over the goal- | linu an opponent could run up and score a try without anyone being allowed to place a hand on him! This might easily happen supposing tho kicker 1 was unable to conio in from touch o\viii£ to an injury. It would indeed bo hard luck to loso a match in such a manner, but it is certainly possible. New Zealand's other case was: A fullback took a kick at a ball, which he miskicked, and it went toward his goal line. He himself was collared and put down. One oi his own team who was then offside ran back behind him and played the ball. Was tho referee right in allowing tho game to proceed !' Undoubtedly tho second player was offside, and tho law states that only tho player who lias last played the ball can put his men onsido. Hut in this case the Rugby Union decided that tlio second player put himself automatically onsido by running behind tho kicker, who was in the field of play. The referee was, therefore, perfectly correct in not stopping 'ho game.