RUGBY RULES AND PROBLEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3868, 1 May 1928, Page 53

RUGBY RULES AND PROBLEMS.

By CItEVALIEB. It is astonishing how quickly one forgets the interpretation and application of Rugby rules. With tho opening of another season we all realise how rusty we have become upon tho fine points of the game. Incn again, there is continuaJ'y coming into the ranks of players and sup porters a small army who need instructr>aS l° ia leai of the rules of Rugby. lor another season I desire to claim attention, iu the direction of endeavouring to get uniformity of decisions upon the part of our referees- a tail understanding of the rules by ’the players, and an extension of consideration ujxm the part of the spectators to both players and referees. THE REFEREE. I desire to ask the referee to suffer a word of exhortation. First of all be sure and get into condition by means’ of skipping or some other kind of training. and again the result of a game rests upon the decision of the man with the whisthIt is manifestly unfair to take the field with men trained to the minute, and then place them at your mercy because you have neglected what is almost the great, essential to a good game—a referee that is able to keep up with it. Having made yourself fit, so that you are able to stand the strain of 90 minutes’ play, there are tm n ot-tier things to be taken into consideration \ou must endeavour to master your handbook in such a way that tho application of the rulings becomes auto matic. Io do tnis successfully play the game in your mind. Visualise every possible problem or difficulty that may arise and imagine yourself acting on th. spur °f the moment in such a crisis. You will find this a wonderful help in assisting you to come immediately to a decision in a moment of great difficultv. Alway- be on the “ qui vive.” Already this season I naye seen referees standing by a scrum, waiting for the ball to come out, and taking absolutely no notice of what is going on in the scrum itself. I have ahi seen the referee standing at the end °f a Imp out, his sole thought seeming r* «’»* '* s tbe coming out in a straight line. He has other work besides keep ing an eye on the ball, especially in close work. He must endeavour to watch toe players and prevent anything in the way of unfair play. The referee is very soon sized up ” by the players, and if he is careless and indifferent about except the ball, he has only himself to blame if the game gets out of control. <J»no nas a right to expect from every referee decisions that arc prompt, firmness in controlling the came, quick observation and fearlessness. It is a bad thing when you find a referee who is afraid to ?jv o a decision that, is not acceptable to t.he speck-tors. It indicates deplorable weakness and unfitness to control x nv garni Never be afraid for there stands behind you the whold weight and authority of tho controlling body. There is no branch of sport in which the authorities are more loyal to their servants than the Rugby unions to their referees. The referee should remember that and live up to the responsibility. There is a tendency, with some referee’ to do too much talking. This must be avoided. Say as little a s possible and let it be to the point, although the utmost courtesy should be used. Bo prepared to give a reason for you r decision, but let it be of the briefest nossii le description. Let there be no domineering bv tho referee, ond’ of course, there should be nothing in the shape of coaching, with one possible exception, and that is in the case of schoolboy games. It niay bo found to bo of value to the lads to give them a little lecturette, at some stage in the game, when it is noticed that the players pers'st in some action that is a violation of the rules, due to ignorance or through being wrongly coached. In the small boy ganies it should be a referee’s privilege, while holding evev*y the scales of justice, to assist the boys to a better knowledge of the rules, as well as to control the game. There are two points in which I an’ exceedingly anxious that referees should make themselves proficient. Succeed in tfie? o points and many other weaknesses will be forgiven. First of all, make a point of carefully watching all passing rushes as they get within striking distance of the line. Again and again tries have been scored by a player taking the ball while m an offside position It is difficult and sometimes unpopular to slow down a game and stop a brilliant bout, of passing because a man has taken the ball when offside, bit it must be done, and without exception, too in the interests of both the players and the game. No one who has the welfare of the game at heart desires that matches should be won by tries that are scored as a result of offside passing. The other point is that referees should remember to take up a position, when play is approaching a goal line, so that the game comes to them. This is not always possible, I know, but they

should keep it in mind and endeavour to ° ! tho “ I have seen a match this season in which - b i\ a s P |en<Jl ,d onslaught, brought w£ M l fP tO . th ° line - The was following tho play, instead of allowing it to com e (o him, consequently ho did not notice that a defending plaver grounded the ball on the playing side" of the goal line. What he did see was tho defending player on the ball over the goal line after ho had carried it back a foot M -omo one might say that a foot is not worth troubling about, but it is XnT l ( mStanCe tv sh ° U r d aS 1 haVO men ’ tioned, because the referee having granted do ? vn > thc , situation was for thnt (< ? fend ers the attackers lost all Hon lad Make H a edition when in tho danger zone never to lose sight of the ball. That can only bo done when the referee views the battle from tho defenders’ position. A referee cannot on an v occasion delegate his powers to the lino umpires. I to ea n n l i bv rk hlS r that n ° r efereo ha 3 the power to aok the line umpire to keep his flag nT/lU?® bai , l3 no* thrown out five yards at the line out. Sometimes a refereo taking up a position at the end of a line out has asked the line umpire to do this. Tho responsibility rests on the referee alone, this being remembered, it is advisable for the referee to keep on changing his position at the hne out. Indeed the best postiion is midway along the line and at a slight angle from the line out. This enables the referee to view the throw in, watch tho p ayers and form a fairly accurate opinion as to whether the ball has been thrown in straight. Ho can always tell by tho movement of the players whether the ball i b 5 e T th , rowD - in cor rectly. Remember also that there is one occasion on which it is possible for a referee to change his decision. A piece of close play takes"placo near tho touch line. The ball crosses the goal hue. An attacking player falls on it anil t- le referee awards a try. His attention !s drawn to the fact that the line umpire s flag is up. He may then reverse his decision and have a line cut where tho nag is up. The reason for doing that is that once the flag is correctly un anything that happens afterwards has’nothing to do with the game Referees are advised to look and see if the flag of the line umpire is up before giving their decision. Referees must also see that the ball goes into tho scrum correctly. On several occasions, in various games last Saturday, the ball shot out of the side of the scrum. THE LINE UMPIRE. ' rrr T' r First Grade matches we have no difficulty about line umpires. They are nearly always qualified men. In junior Glades and country ganies inexperienced men are pressed into the service. With a bttlo practice almost any close follower of the game can become a successful lino ''mpirc-. if a few things are taken to heart. Lhe line umpire can be of verv great assistance to the referee and take from his shoulders a good deal of responsibility, if the retei ee knows that he can depend upon him.. There are occasions when the lino umpire is suddenly requested to assist the referee in some delicate decisions. He must, therefore, “ keep his eyes peeled ” and follow the game with an intentness only excelled by the referee. No attention must be paid to the remarks of the crowd. Otherwise they will verv soon “ rattlo ” the line umpire and his decisions will bo bungled. He must be as impartial as thc referee. He may have his preference but for the time being he is entrusted with a position of responsibility to winch he must live up. Never be guilty of barracking or coaching. If a person wants to do that he must leave tho umpire's flag alone. Remember that the line itself is out of touch and that the corner flarrs are touch in goal. Carefully watch all plav near the corner. flags. That is ‘ whero the referee is most likelv to need advico and assistance. If the line umpire lets ti 111 down he has to take the blame, not the umpire, so please plav up to him with all possible ability. If the ball, in the air. swerves over the touch line and returns into place, the flag must eo up, for the ball is out of bounds. Under the new regulations the line umpire assists the referee by signalling- with his flag if. in his opinion, a goal has been kicked. Tho final decision, however, rests with the referee. No line umpire likes to be overruled by the referee, but sometimes it is necessary, and tho referee is quite within his rights, and the line umpire must try to take this with a smile. At the same time, a referee should endeavour not to over-rule a line umpire unless it is absolutely necessary. THE SPECTATOR. As one who is now relegat-ed to the bank, ’ may I make an appeal to my fellow-spectators ? No one can stop discussion upon referee’s decisions, but let them be as kindly discussed as possible, it being always, remembered that the spectator has not the referee’s point of view. It is surprising the difference that is made by altering one’s position on the ground by a few feet The chances are, therefore, that the spectators have been mistaken and not the referee. In the discussions at the referees’ meeting a very wise tradition is being observed. In dealing with tho decisions of the day the questioner alwavs endeavours to say. “ It appeared to me as so and so.” If he says, for example, “There was an offside pass this afternoon,” he is immediately pulled up. It is well that it should be so, because whatever the spectator may think, the referee is the man who ought to know, as he is generally able, to give a satisfactory explanation of his action. Last Saturday, one referee was subjected to some criticism, because a piece of offside plav had taken place. The referee blew his whistle, and instead of giving the free kick to tho non-offending side. he gave it to the ■offenders. This seemed to be against all reason, yet after the game, it was found that tho non-offending team, as far as tho offside was concerned, had been offending in another direction by harassing the referee by continuous appeals for which they had been warned. Th a referee saw the offside play, but as the other team again a Pßpalecl, he acted within his rights by penalising tho team that had been warned for its faults, Tho professional referee should never be allowed to hold the whistle in a game of Rugby. That depends upon ourselves. Led us give the man in white a good spin and do our best to suppress effectively the spectator who is giving “ tongue ” probably because his investment is in danger of oeing lost. I hope tho readers of this column have taken to heart the letter of *.* Islay,” . and the editorial of the same date dealing with the dangers of gambling on our national game. Let us stand together and keep the game wo love upon the highest possible level.