HAWKE’S BAY CRITICS SILENT Shield System Not To Be Discussed

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31656, 17 April 1968, Page 13

HAWKE’S BAY CRITICS SILENT Shield System Not To Be Discussed

(By Our Rugby Reporter)

The criticism made in some quarters of the * challenges accepted by Hawke’s Bay for the Ranfurly * Shield this season are not expected to be discussed at '• the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union ; in Wellington tomorrow.

1 The main comment on the chai* .* lenges accepted by Hawke’s Bay was that they favoured the smaller unions and neglected such strong unions as Canterbury and North Auckland, whose challenges were declined.

Mr T. C. Morrison, chairman of the N.Z.R.U. Council, said yesterday, when telephoned by “The Press,” that the Ranfurly Shield challenge system was not on the agenda, although it could be raised in general business. Asked if the N.Z.R.U. had given any consideration to suggestions that it, and not the union holding the shield, should allocate challenges. Mr Morrison said the matter had not been discussed by the executive.

“Over the years there has been criticism by some unions

of the holders for the way in which they have accepted or declined challenges. Usually these criticisms come from unions whose challenges have been declined. “The outcome has been the suggestion that the New Zealand Union should allocate challenges. How can a body such as ours decide in April which teams should have matches in August and September?” he asked. “Form from one seaso.i to another changes quickly, and if we did have to arrange matches we would run up against the domestic arrangements of many unions. “Although the challenge system might have some imperfections, it would be hard to find something better,” said Mr Morrison.

Delegates to the annual meeting of the New Zealand union were gathering in Wellington yesterday. They expected the Ranfurly Shield challenge system to be discussed and that Canterbury and North Auckland would be amongst the most vociferous critics. However, neither Canterbury nor North Auckland will discuss the matter. The chairman of the North Auckland union (Mr D. K. Ross) said yesterday that his union had no complaint. North Auckland had not played Hawke’s Bay for 32 years and hardly expected priority for a challenge over other unions which played regular matches against the shield holder. Mr C. H. McPhail, president of the Canterbury Rugby Union, said that while Canterbury was disappointed about not gaining a challenge, it had jno complaint. “We lodged an ordinary challenge as Canterbury will be touring the North Island this season. Hawke’s Bay’s decision was ‘no,’ and as we were not due to play them on tour, we could .understand their reason.”