Appalling rugby needs a saviour

WHAT I am hoping to read in the news, after witnessing the conclusion of Saturday’s international rugby game between England and South Africa, is that the salary of the television match official and the referee will be withheld pending an enquiry – how can people who do not know the rules of the game be given such responsibilities?

Another incident was the penalty awarded to England for the scrum infringement on South Africa’s line on our put in. It was a deliberate set-up to confuse the referee. There was no way we would wheel the scrum and the delight of the England players, when the referee fell for their con, was a disgrace to the sport.

I often wonder why people who have never watched rugby before are starting to look at matches?

It’s simple: you don’t have to know the rules; it’s just a spectacle, like watching the scrumhalf put the ball under his forwards’ feet when 16 men are shoving, grunting and groaning. This defies intelligence.

The opposing team has no chance of winning the ball except by earning a penalty awarded by the referee, for some mysterious reason.

I’m 80 years old and grew up with this wonderful game. It now needs a saviour. It won’t happen in my time, but – come on, guys – do something to restore it, please. DONALD PATERSON

Napier