BRIGHTER RUGBY

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20832, 16 June 1939, Page 11

BRIGHTER RUGBY

SCRUM HALF TROUBLE REFEREE PUT IN THE BALL 14 A-STDE TEAM ADVOCATED If Rugby referees were empowered to place the ball in the scrum most of the difficulties arising from the present scrummage laws of the game which are militating against the best interests of the code would be overcome, in the opinion of the Hamilton Referees’ Association, as expressed when the scrummage laws were fully discussed at the meeting this week. The general feeling was that the scrummage would always be "the nigger in the woodpile" until the rules were altered. If the referee was empowered to place the ball in the scrummage, considered the Hamilton Association, most, of the difficulties would be overcome as the referee would sec that the bal 1 went in fairly. 2-3-2 Scrum: No Rover Should Dial difficulty be overcome by the amendment of the rules to allow the referee to place the ball in the scrum the only remaining difficulty would be the case of the player '‘lifting.'’ The meeting considered that the cause of a great deal of hooking trouble was the manner in which the ball was placed in the scrum. Many players, officials, and most referees, feel that the game would be vastly improved for all concerned if one of the forwards was eliminated from the team, making the 14 a-side Rugby game. Support for this proposal lias already been voiced in England and Australia. The Hamilton referees considered that brighter back play would result from a team of 14 players and that would be an inducement to the spectators with the result that gates would increase considerably. During the meeting, at which Mr A. Patterson presided, Mr B. S. Marshall, immediate past-president of the New Zealand Rugby (Referees’ Association, gave an interesting and instructive address on "The Position of the Referee on the Field.” Considerable discussion ensued. About 20 members of the association attended the meeting.