REFEREE’S ROLE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27058, 18 April 1949, Page 6

REFEREE’S ROLE

IMPORTANCE IN RUGBY VALUE OF UNOBTRUSIVENESS PA NELSON, Apl. 16. A Rugby football referee should be unobtrusive rather than forceful, said Mr H. B. Simmonds. a member of the executive of the New Zealand Rugby Referees’ Association, when delivering the opening address at the association’s annual conference. Mr Simmonds deputised for the chairman of the executive. Mr George Bradley (Wellington), who was prevented from attending by illness. “In no other sport is the position of the referee more important to the game than in Rugby, but it is well to bear in mind that this importance must not be over-emphasised on the field. The game is for the players, and the referee’s position as arbiter should be unobtrusive rather than forceful,’ said Mr Simmonds. Getting the ball into the scrummage appeared to be a referee’s most trying duty, and he suggested that special attention should be paid to sub-section (f) of law 15, which referred to external factors—the player putting in the ball must take a position not less than one yard from the scrummage; the ball must be propelled by both hands from below the knee; the ball must pitch on the ground beyond one foot of the nearest player of each front row. An amendment to the off-side rule is considered necessary by the association to curb the activities of breakaway forwards who move too quickly round the scrum. The conference resolved to recommend to the New Zealand Rugby Union that when the laws of the game are next reviewed by the International Board, it be suggested that the word “remain’’ be deleted from law 18 (b), which reads: “A plaver is off-side if, while the ball is in the scrummage, he. not being in the scrummage, remain with cither foot in front of the ball.” Mr Simmonds said it was time the association gave consideration to the forward who moved round the scrum before the ball was clear. Mr H J- McKenzie (Wairarapa) said that if the rule were amended it would make Rugby easier for players, referees and spectators by preventing “ birds of prey ” from careering round the scrum. A direction was issued that if forwards stood up in the scrum the half-back should be instructed to put in the ball immediately. The scrum should not be broken up. Lt was also ruled by the conference that injured players were not entitled to have play held up for three minutes unless they were seriously hurt. Players with minor injuries, such as walking cases, should be removed to the side-line while the game continued.