RUGBY RULES DEFINED

Taranaki Daily News, 1 May 1930, Page 11

RUGBY RULES DEFINED

CLAIMING A “FAIR CATCH”

PLAYER MUST MAKE MARK.

BALL STRAIGHT THROUGH SCRUM. By Telegraph.-—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Two question affecting the rules' of Rugby were decided by the management committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union to-night. The first was a ruling as to what actually constitutes a “fair catch” under the present rule, whereby a player claiming a “fair catch” must immediately make a heel mark, and tlie second dealt with the action to be. taken when a ball is put in the scrum 'and goes riglit through.'. , ‘ . '■ The decisions filially arrived at 'were:

A fair catch can only be allowed when the player claiming it has both feet on the ground and claims'the catch by making a heel mark. A penalty should be awarded only when in the ‘referee’s opinion the player putting the ball in -the scrummage intentionally does so in such a manner that it cannot be hooked. In all other cases of the ball passing right through a fresh scrummage should be ordered. Mr. A. C. Kitto asked if a. player who jumped in the air, caught the ball, came down and made a heel mark could be awarded a “fair .catch.” Mr. S. S. Dean: It is not a mark. Mr. Kitto: What-if an All .Black who toured in 1924 says a mark can be awarded? Mr. Dean: Well, I would like to know where it was allowed. The J9&4- team, he added, found it practically impossible to get marks. The question had. been discussed at the Imperial Rugby conference, where a markf.shad been looked upon as purely a defensive measure,, and it had been maintained that it should be awarded only in a player’s, own territory Mr. Kitto maintained that if a player landed on the ground and made a heel mark his claim should be allowed. He asked Mr. A. E. Neilson (honorary secretary) what his experience had been during the Springboks’ visit in 1921. i Mr. Neilsen: My experience was that a mark was allowed only when the heel mark was made practically simultaneously with the catching of the ball, I If a player was knocked over before he made his heel mark, it was pointed out, his claim could not be allowed.