RUGBY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 111, 13 May 1931, Page 5

RUGBY

WING-FORWARD TACTICS REFEREES ON THE ALERT WHAT TARANAKI IS DOING Very rigid rulings are to apply to the play of the wing-forward in matches throughout New Zealand as the result of the adoption of the English Rugby Union rules. The matter has received the attention of the Wanganui Referees’ Association and it is worthy of note that in the Kaierau v. Technical Old Boys match on Saturday last neither wing forward was penalised for being offside. Both kept religiously behind the ball. This subject was discussed at the last meeting of the Taranaki Referees’ Association when it was decided that in view of the complaint of the New Zealand Rugby Union in reference to the latitude allowed the wing-forward by some referees, that Taranaki referees will this season strictly enforce the offside rule as it applies to wing-for-wards. The rule on the question states: “A player is off-side if whilst the ball is in a scrummage he, not being in a scrummage, remain in front of the ball or attempt to hook the ball out, neither foot being behind it.” To give an example of how this rule applies to wing-forwards, consider that a wing-forward has just placed the ball in the scrum; his side hooks the ball cleanly. If the wing-forward is in front of the ball at any time during it’s progress through the scrum, then the referee will, and rightly so, penalise the wing-forward for being off-side as there was a time when that ball was in the scrum, and the wing-forward, not being part of the scrum, was in front of the ball. This should bring home the fact to wing-forwards that immediately they place the ball in the scrum they should retire behind the scrum at once, otherwise, if their side heel and they are still in front, away gos th? whistle, and what, might have developed into a good back movement is stopped nt the outset all on account of this one player not. retiring. The wing-forward who is not placing the ball in the scrum, has, of course, no need to come to the side of the scrum at all. Of course, there is no rule preventing him from doing so, but he takes this risk—if his side heels quickly, and he is still at the side of the scrum, then his side will pay the penalty for him being off side. Wingforwards should therefore note these two points:—(l) If they are putting the ball into the scrum, they should do so and retire immediately. (2) If not putting in the ball, he should stay awny from the. scrum altogether. This wouid make for less infringements, help to make the game more open, and the wing-forward, instead of being a nuisance to his side, would become useful. The questions of the “fair catch” rule and the “forward pass taken offside” wore also discussed and the following decisions were arrived at:— In the case of the “fair catch” the player claiming it must make his heelmark at the time of catching the ball and call out “Mark!” This means that a “fair catch” cannot be claimed while a player is in the act of jumping for the ball. In the case of the pass forward it was decided to rule as in other countries—the first breach. This docs not apply in the case of a player deliberately waiting off-side and calling for and receiving a pass. In this case ths receiver would be ruled off side. Various other rulings were discussed and a uniformity as to rulings arrived