RUGBY RULES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20149, 18 May 1928, Page 4

RUGBY RULES

POINTERS ON PLAY Referees’ Interpretations and Rulings Explained INCIDENTS ON SATURDAY By “Referee.” Saturday's Rugby revealed many breaches of the rules of play, and, reviewing the games on Spilggens Park as a whole, it would seem that many players have yet to become acquainted with the “fine points” of Rngby as laid down in the rule book. Referees, in most cases, arc careful to watch the progress of matches with a view to giving correct interpretations and, at the same time, keeping the play as continuous as possible by applying the advantage rule. It should bo their endeavour to rely upon that rule whercevor it can safely bo applied, the team infringed against thus bonefitting as the result of breaches commitecd by their opponents. In tho following budget of notes, based on incidents which occurred in Saturday’s play, an endeavour is made to throw light on some of the decisions given by referees, by quoting the rules as set out in the revised 1927 Now Zealand Rugby Union rule book. Off-side. Players within ten yards of an opponent who is waiting to receive the ball, cannot be put on side by their own man who last played the ball, or by any action of the player receiving it. They must retire beyond the ten yard circle, then, when their own man who last played the ball runs in front of them, or the man receiving it passes, runs five yards in any direction or intentionally fumbles, they are then entitled to take part in the play. If inside the ten yard circle, nothing can put them on side. They are, as it were, out of the game. Waiting offside is an offence itself, and the referee is quite entitled to penalise all players ■who do not make an effort to get on side. Lying on the Ball Players are entitled to stop a rush by going down on the ball, but they must immediately roll away from it or get up. otherwise they can be penalised for “being on the ground and not immediately getting up.” Playing the Ball on tire Ground. Playing the ball whilst not wholly supported by the feet, is still too prevalent. Players should note that it is a dangerous practice, especially if the other side have a good place kick. “Knock-On.” Should a player knock-on and then recover the ball before it reaches the ground, the referee has no ontion but to stop the play In 1925 and 1926, the play In such cases was allowed to proceed provided a player caught the ball in his next stride The new 1927 rule book, however, ruled this out. Takiiig a Mark. If a player takes a mark outside of his own twenty-live, is he entitled to kick the ball out on the full provided he does so inside the twcnty-flve? The answer is: Yes! AU kicks into touch front within a player’s own twenty-five are allowed to stand, the line-out taking place whore the ball goes into touch. Charging into Line-Outs A player is allowed to charge into a gap in the lino out, but he must not charge into a spot whore an opponent is standing. Whilst on this subject of line-out play it is well to mention that there is too much pushing the. man waiting to receive the ball. Referees should watch for this Very carefully, and should not hesitate to penalise offenders. Charging Free Kicks. Players would do well to remember That they are not allowed to charge a free kick. Thy must remain “passive” on the mark with their hands at their sides. FOR TO-MORROW TECH. OLD BOYS CLUB The fourth grade team will play Pirate fourths on Technical College grounds at 1.30 p.m. to-morrow. The senior team will play the junior team on the Technical College grounds nt 3 p.m- to-motro.v. MARIST CLUB MATCH WITH RATANA All juniors are requested to meet at Marton and Vernon’s at 1.45 p.m. tomorrow to journey to Ratana.