Should Referees Report Fully?

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 47, 18 May 1927, Page 7

Should Referees Report Fully?

INCIDENT AT WHANGAREI PLAYER ORDERED OFF? A peculiar position has arisen at Whangarei in connection with a recent Rugby match, in which it is alleged a player was ordered off by the referee. The referee put in his report to the association with no comment attached, and when asked if he had not put a man off was non-committal, declining to say anything except that his report was on the table. At the Rugby Union meeting, later, the question was again brought up, no fewer than three of the union officials declaring that they knew a man was ordered off. and one of them saying that the offender was instructed by the referee to come before the union. Mr. Wilding pointed out that a referee had full control of the game, but only under New Zealand Rugby Union laws, and one of these specifically stated that, in the event of a player being ordered off, the referee must report the fact to the Rugby Union. The Union was the body controlling football in the district, and he moved that the report be referred back to the Referees’ Association for comment. This was seconded by Mr. Proctor. The chairman, Mr. Worner, thought no further action should be taken, as it might arouse the enmity of the referees.

On being assured to the contrary by the delegate and another member of the Referees’ Association, the chairman still took the view that there was no need to go further into the ma* ter.

After further discussion, the motion was submitted and lost, Messrs. Wilding. Bowden and Proctor voting in the affirmative.