1938-39

RUGBY
429
halves. At half-time there shall be an interval of not more. than
five minutes. A period not exceeding three minutes shall be
allowed for any other permitted delay. At half-time the teams
shall change over.
LAW 9.—Before a match begins the captains shall toss for the
right to kick-off or the choice of ends.
LAW io.—
Functions of Referee.
—The Referee is sole time-
keeper and judge of fact.
He is sole judge of Law, subject to a right of appeal to this Union.
He is not entitled to contract out of the Laws of the Game by
agreeing with both teams to vary
or
not to recognise any Law.
He must not give any instructions or directions to either team prior
to a match.
He may, before arriving at a decision, consult the Touch Judges
or either of them on any point of fact material to their functions,
or with regard to time in the case of failure of his watch.
He may not consult with anyone else except with regard to time,
and then only if the information supplied by the Touch Judges is
insufficient.
He may allow extra time for delays.
He has power to stop a for
before time has expired if, in his
opinion, the full time cannot be played.
In the case of his being unable to officiate during the whole
period of a match, he shall have power to appoint a substitute to
take his place, failing an agreement by the captains of the respective
teams.
He cannot alter any decision when given.
It rests with him to impose penalties for irregularities, and to
give all necessary directions within the Laws. He has full power
to decide if any parts of a player's dress, including boots and
projections thereon, are dangerous, and in that case must order
such player to remove the same and not allow him to take further
part in the match until after such removal.
He must not allow anyone but the players on to the playing
enclosure during a match, except with his permission.
He must not allow any player to leave the playing enclosure
without his permission, which should only be granted in special
circumstances.
N
OTE.
—Any player who, through injury or any other cause, has
to retire during a match, shall not resume playing in that match until
he has obtained the permission
of
the Referee.
The Referee must carry a whistle. The whistle, when blown,
stops the match for the time being. The Referee shall blow it
only to indicate :
(a) A fair-catch (even though he has blown for a knock-on or
throw-forward).
(b) Player hurt (as soon afterwards as the ball has become dead
and subject to resumption of play is not more than three
minutes.)
(c) Danger, when continuation of play would be dangerous.