SIDE-LIGHTS ON RUGBY.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12889, 23 July 1913, Page 3

SIDE-LIGHTS ON RUGBY.

No. XII. ' : (BY "VEXATOQL'AESTIO.") ■. In last week's notes I referred to the penalty for deliberately throwing out of bounds. During a private conversation my explanation of the -rule was questioned, it being held that the penalty could only' be given when the ball was thrown, passed or knocked forward out of bounds. The two rules dealing with the noint need to bo read carefully. If thiy "is done it will be seen that the notes published last weak give the correct solution. The vital points in the rules ur dor discussion are as follow: — Rub 16, dealing with a knock on, and throw forward: fin case of a throw forward or knock on, the ball- shall be brought back to the place where- such infringement occurred, and there be scrummaged. . . This shall not apply to a wilful throw, forward or knock on -into touch, which must b o , dealt with under Rule 16a." Rule 16a reads: "Jf a pJayer shall wilfully pass, knock oi I throw the ball into touch, the opposite I sido may claim either a free kick or a scrummage." A careful reading of the above will show that the throw forward or knock on into touch is not dealt with under rule 16, but is referred to 16a,. so that that rule would then be interpreted, "If a player shall wilfully pass, knock or throw the ball into touch or shall wilfully throw forward or kho'ekron into touch, the other side may claim either a free kick or scrummage." " . ! Ii« spite of tho wet day and greasy condition of the ball,.the match between Coliege and Kaierau was an exceptional. iy good one. It was open and both teams fought hard right up to the fin-, ish.- The classifying of" College so that they became seniors has been a good thing for Rugby, but it will also have a #qori effect, on" the. school. Ijventure to say tint when they meet in Wellington for tho annual tournament with Wellington and Christ's College they wilF surprise their opponents and Wellingtonians in general. If they do not succeed in winning tho ribbon, then my name's not . I w.is in several parts of the Roc last Saturday, and was surprised to hear the amount of bad language used by mere boys. Probably they thought they were men, but when they are men they will .know better, and will drop it. If they will take a word of advice, they will cut it put now. It serves no practical purpose, anri is only a degradation of the Kina's English. On two occasions "language" was used in the hearing of ladies, and I am glad to say the culprit.- were immediately reprimanded. If we are to encourage ladies to visit our games this sort of thing must bo put down. The growth of profane language in ordinary 'conversation is shocking, and if men mid boys could only realise what a really degrading thing such conversation is in the minds of those who are not in the .habit of using it, it would be dropped like a hot potato. One can forgive a good, honest d under stress of circumstances, but for ordinary: talk to be full of adjectives is disgusting., to say the least. Reg. Collier played an exceptionally good same on Saturday, but he is developing a fault that he will need to chock or his usefulness will be marred. On'three occasions he was within striking distance of the line, but in accepting _ tho pass ho ' was' off-side, and tho result was a- free-kick lo the school. He will neod to watch that his turn of ,sp"ed does not allow him to rvcrrun the man in possession of tho bal'f. At a moetine of the local Referees' Association held on Saturday evening, l.he question of tho' appointment of refere;^ to the various matches came up for discussion. A very comprehensive resolution protesting against the present system has boon sent forward to tho Rucby Union to he dealt with probably r>i, th." next annual meetincr. Various circumstances led to a rather umisr.il situation f,or last Saturday's mat flux;. The Appointment Committee made its. appointments. Objection was takon in one of the referees, not by .-iiiy particular team, but by an individual who is neither nlnyer nor -secretary nor captain of tbo flub.-; concerned. To pet over the difficulty the referees were fhnncfpd over without the consent, of the Appointment Commit ten. The commit-j-pr> resented this, and one referee notified tl-it ho -would not be available; the other rofsree orijrirallv appointed was .rssVoil by one of the clubs concernod in the first appointment; ho naturally declined on principle to be made a stop pap of. and another referee's M>rv;i*>Sf were called for at the last moment. Th< • ...

referees and the appointment cominitteo met on the ground, and neither knew what tho other was going to do. The discussion on Saturday night was the outcome of this incident. Now tho time has come for "a little plain speaking. There are certain people, whose only qualification is the gift of using the tongue in criticism without duly appreciating the situation, who delight in finding fault with those who may happen to be in authority. This state of affairs has arisen in Waiiganui in connection with tho Referees' Association and tho Rugby Union. We have mnn in those bodies who occupy' prominent and honoured positions in the life of the town. Their object in taking such an active interest in the game is not for personal gain but f-o hem to give the game a much-needed fillip at a critical time in its history. Most of ihen- are men who could do with fourteen days in.the week in order to get through their ordinary business and who hear the wooing call of other recreations, such asi jgplf and gardening!. Thosei men are not going to submit to treatment, from unthinking,, reckless timewa&ting individuals, which they would not tolerate in their business life, simply because the said individuals think they are authorities on Rugby. If the critics are not prepared to silence their criticism, perhaps an appeal to the players will induce them to stand loyally by the work of the Rugby Union. Referees' Association, and the Referees' Appointment Committee. No refereo with an ounce of self-respect is likely to allow his name to be knocked about from post to pillar by irresponsible and narrow-visioned individuals. The Association does not want to take away from the clubs the right of asking for a particular referee, but they do feel for the good of tlie game thai the Appointment Committee should have the fHal word as to the men who will be called upon to control the games. If this is agreed to, the best possible appointments. will be made; the referee -will not bo in danger of losing his independence, the youuger referees will be given an opportunity to test their powers in th 8 senior games and there will not be the continual risk of referees taking umbrage and pulling out. In any case tho present position is an impossible one.