FOOTBALL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19034, 11 June 1924, Page 6

FOOTBALL

RUGBY POINTERS SOME NEW RULES. (By “Referee.”) Wry Keen: Our delegate to the Referees recent conference informs me that everybody had a delightful time and so keen was the annual meeting that it was unanimously decided to hold the abandoned conference. This was attended by over twenty-four referees, who sat in solemn (?) conclave from 9 a.m. to 1 o’clock on June 3. Good feeling.—lt was a conference of good fellowship, despite the prevalent idea—which even Mr Dean

(N.Z.U.) failed to dispel—that our Wellington brethren got most of the plums in the ‘‘whistling” line. Not Understood. —Even Auckland got over some old misunderstandings, and when their able diplomat stated that no Auckland referee had officiated outside their own province for over six years, it was realised that they hadn’t had quite a fair go. Also the mis- ( understanding by Auckland over that “long, lean and hungry” representative from the Wairarapa was cleared * up, and when this worthy explained that last year’s famous ejaculation at Christchurch, “Now infidel, I have thee on the hip,” referred only to a lady and a flea, it literally broke the .home up. Anyway it’s a conference ' story and cannot be repeated here. Enthusiasm.—lt was wonderful how keen these chaps are on their job, and if players took half the interest in the game as do the referees over their rulings, Rugby would be a greater game than ever. Thanks.—Quite a number voiced the Appreciation of the value of the conference and both the chairman —Dan McKenzie —and the secretary —Lou Sievers—came in for congratulatory remarks, as in fact did all those Welangton members who helped to make an •njoyable conference more so. KEW RULING NOW IN OPERATION TACKLE—THREE PHASES. I.—A player is grasped by an opponent and is brought to the ground, but is not sufficiently held to prevent him passing the ball. He may thereupon pass the ball, "Whether it Has Touched the Ground or Not. Note.—Such passing should be done Immediately. 2.—When a player is grasped and brought down by an opponent, and the ball touches the ground, but the player is not sufficiently held to prevent him M lifting the ball and placing it over the line, a Try Should be Allowed. Note.—The placing over should be an Immediate Action. 3.—When a player running for the goal line is grasped by an opponent and brought down, the ball touching the ground outside the line, but the player with the ball slides over the line, a

Try Should Be Allowed. ‘ Note.—Again Immediate Action is i necessary. The various questions submitted to the conference received a fair hearing, tnd after the recent local controversy, players, spectators and referees will be pleased to know that a Player On The Ground cannot interfere with either the ball, or a running opponent, the immediate penalty being a free kick, although a penalty try could be under “close to goal” circumstances. According to the rule book, a player is not in the game unless Wholly Supported By His Feet. Conference also decided that both “free kicks” and “marus” taken from behind the goal line Must Cross the Line into the field of play, unless the opposite side secures an advantage, i.e., scores a try. The Best Yet.—A poser from Auckland is too long to reproduce here, but it was to be ventilated at the referees’ meeting. It’s a corker and will keep members guessing. With many other local fans, the ■ writer saw the last Possibles-Probables

game in Wellington, and while not .wishing to decry the referee’s efforts | one could not help noticing the follow- • ing faults:— Gave “marks” which were not fair catches. Allowed to pass kicks from 25’s, which didn’t reach the 25 line and when opponents didn’t Get Any Advantage. Allowed offside on lines-out. Allowed a kick-off to take place “miles” away from the centre of the field. Permitted Playing the Ball on the Ground after a player had stopped a rush. Did not penalise players for “hanging on” to the ball after being collared. This “Springbok” trick was allowed far too much scope. One dislikes criticising too much, especially as the ground and weather were so atrocious, but still any referee, let alone a “star” man, should easily recognise the above breaches. Advance Wanganui!—Next year’s conference and annual meeting (combined), will take place in Wanganui at Easter, so buck up “whistlers” and see that the thing is done right when the time comes. This meeting should do wonders for ah associations under the Wanganui Council.

Forethought.—The visiting and local referees attended the ‘ ‘ ImpossibleProbable” game at the Athletic Park last week as the guests of the Wellington Association, which had taken the precautionary measure of securing free grandstand seats, for which all the visitors shouted ‘‘Thanks very much. ‘‘lt’s the little things that tell,” as they say.