LAWS OF THE GAME.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11123, 24 July 1907, Page 2 (Supplement)

LAWS OF THE GAME.

The : New Zealand Rugby . Football Union has issued as a booklet a copy of the International Board's circular letter to players and referees, dated September, 1906:— .- Following are extracts from the letter : When a player is tackled with ; the ball, it can only be brought into play with the foot. ; ..-If a player carrying the ball be thrown or knocked over . (but not tackled) and tlie ball" touches the • ground/, hey _ay : nevertheless get/up with it and continue his rim or pass it; - ": '.. "It was decided by the: Board 'at/their last meeting that Law^ 3 ' (b) • covers the case of wilful obstruction or .interference. Referees must deal very- sharply with all cases of this nature, as this, has been a growing practice ..through players deciding to take the risk of a penalty to gain or save a try by unfair play, 'ibis prac : tice is so contrary to the spirit of- the game that the "Board have decided to deal with it upon the same footing as rough or foul play or misconduct. "Referees too often. give offending players the benefit of unintentional offside instead of inflicting the free kick penally. In the Board's circular, of 1897 it was pointed out in relation, to sub-section (k), then lettered (h), . that it prohibits tne habit of . three-quarters arid half-backs standing in front of the ball, so as .to mark the opposing backs, and tliat^ it should be strictly enforced. The Board, whilst now wishful to emphasise this, and also that it appUes to forwards as well as backs, would also point out that it. is not intended, thereby to penalise a halfback who unintentioriaily overruns the ball in, a scrummage. . In cases when two opposing players are running for the ball,- a player overtaking, another may not shove, the overtaken player from behind. If he does it is illegal, and should be penalised by a.freekick. ..