Half-time routine

Hi,

I don't know if my memory is playing tricks on me...

Do I remember a time when the half-time break was taken on the pitch, or is this a figment of my imagination? If it isn't, when did the change take place?

TIA
Pete

Dear Pete,

Off the top of my head this used to be a convention rather than a solid given.

There used to be a law on the books that a player couldnt leave the pitch without the permission of the referee which was used as the basis for this.

This said when the 1930 Lions travelled to New Zealand the All Blacks quite happily trundled off at half time to the changing rooms at half time much to the bemusement of the British players who came from a place where this just was not done.

I suspect (but have absolutely no evidence for) that this became common practise probably just before or at the game going open - Perhaps someone else knows better

Adrian

Thanks for that Adrian...

You mention the transition to the open game as being a possible marker - are you saying that you can remember the players staying on the field at half-time, even in the senior game?

Regards
Pete

Pardon me for remembering this with such blinding clarity, but didn't Erica Rowe do her famous streak at Twickenham in the England v Australia international on 2nd January 1982 during the half-time break?

It's a material fact because legend has it that Billy Beamont had gathered his players around for a stirring team talk on the pitch ... when he noticed one or two weren't paying their full attention. Upon asking what the issue was, he was told by Steve Smith (scrum half that day) "Sorry, Bill - there's a girl running around with your bum on her chest!"