LEAGUE OFFER REFUSED

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24366, 19 September 1944, Page 6

LEAGUE OFFER REFUSED

AUCKLAND RUGBY HALFBACK M. N. PAEWAPS DECISION “The Press” Special Service AUCKLAND, September 18. An. attractive, offer to play League football has been refused by M. N. Paewai, half-back for the University team which won the Auckland Rugby Union’s senior championship. In an interview ■ PaeWal said he had considered playing the League game, but had finally decided not to leave the Rugby ranks, • Paewai said overtures'had been made to him by two Auckland League clubs. One of them. City, had made him a substantial offer. Had he turned over to the rival code, however, he would have linked up with the Manukau Club. ■ What influenced Paewai in his decision to remain in the Rugby game was that his final medical examinations were looming up and he thought It wiser to concentrate on his studies rather than upon football. He Intends to finish with serious football at the conclusion of the present season. Paewal’s omission from the North Island team to- play the South Island aroused much controversy, not only In Auckland, but also In the southern, centres, where he was hailed as one of the best half-backs seen for years. He played a brilliant game for the South Island against the North Island last year. A nephew of L. Paewai, one of the 1924 All Blacks, M. N. Paewai was educated at the Dannevlrke District . High School, where he early revealed football ability. Continuing his studies at the University of Otago, he represented that institution In inter-university contests, and he also gained his Otago cap. South Island honours followed last season. With five other former Otago representatives, Paewai joined the medical staff of the Auckland Hospital this year, and all five have been largely responsible for University's success In the Rugby championship.