OTAGO DELEGATE ATTACKS POLICY Union “Sitting On Fence” Over Ranfurly Shield

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31658, 19 April 1968, Page 15

OTAGO DELEGATE ATTACKS POLICY Union “Sitting On Fence” Over Ranfurly Shield

(New Zealand Frose Association) WELLINGTON. The New Zealand Rugby Union council was “sitting on the fence” if it did not take a more direct interest in the Ranfurly Shield challenge system, an Otago delegate told the annual meeting of the union last evening.

Mr E. Watson lodged an objection against the present system and recommended the council take a serious look at it. “Otago played for the shield last year, so this is not sour grapes,” he said. “But we waited six years for a challenge and unions with lesser claims received the nod.

"It is becoming increasingly difficult to get a shield challenge, and the New Zealand Council should take a more direct interest. “I think the extra two or three special challenges should be selected on merit by an independent body, such as the council. “Are we so smug? Are we not sitting on the fence, that we accept things as they are? Domestic Matter “Is the Ranfurly Shield the symbol of Rugby supremacy in New Zealand or for pen tonal use? “I understand the council sees it as a domestic matter and does not want to interfere. This is sitting on the fence. It is not a domestic matter. It is too important that we should say we are quite happy with the way it is run." Mr W. S. Bramwell, of Hawke's Bay, the present shield holder, said: “This is, in some way, an indirect attack on our fixtures this year. But our fixtures are governed by the shield rules. “Admittedly, some are against weak unions, but they are just as entitled to the benefit of the rules as any other, and Hawke’s Bay has no option but to accept them “Done Its Duty” “We feel that the unions we play year by year, and have played for, perhaps, 50 years, should have the opportunity of playing for the shield when it occurs once in a lifetime. “Would we be doing justice to the game and to those unions by not playing them? Hawke's Bay has done its job and its duty in accepting them.” The new president, Mr R. A Mace, suggested that if any union wished to offer something concrete on the Ranfurly Shield rules, it

should do so as a notice of motion for discussion. “The rules are clearly set out and the present council is diffident about interfering,” he said. Invitation Accepted A fully representative side will tour South Africa in 1970. The meeting unanimously voted to accept the invitation from South Africa. The only speakers on the issue were the chairman, Mr T. C. Morrison, who formally moved the acceptance, and the chairman of the Maori Advisory Board, Mr S. Ingpen, who said that at a meeting of the board on Wednesday evening, it was unanimously decided to urge the annual meeting to accept the invitation. “The board was very thrilled with the news that a fully representative side had been invited,” Mr Ingpen said. Live Television Although the meeting reaffirmed its decision not to allow, in most cases, live television of Rugby games, a provocative argument was put forward by Mr J. J. Stewart (Taranaki). He said that too many men in the street regarded the television issue as a quarrel between the union and the NXB.C. Mr Stewart suggested that the ball be taken back to the N.Z.B.C, by asking the corporation to instai equipment on eight major Rugby grounds and giving it permission to cover live one match each week. The public would be given only two minutes notice of the match to be televised. “Our public relations have slumped because of our polities in regard to live television, and I think we should let the N.Z.B.C. provide a live service, but In a manner that will protect us. It means a lot of money and they probably won’t agree, but It would be worth trying,” Mr Stewart said.

Hig recommendation was noted by the meeting but it wee unanimously agreed that the union's policy of last year be reaffirmed and that there be no live coverage of Rugby except where it is acceptable in mid-week college matdies. The N.Z.B.C. had sought permission to televise live the matches between All-Japan and New Zealand Universities and All-Japan and New Zealand Juniors, as well as the three tests against France and the North v. South match. It was agreed, however, that coverage be given but the screening must not be earlier than 7 p.m. on the day of the match. Club Tour Proposal An Auckland proposal that players must have been a bona fide playing member of a dub for 12 months preceding the dub tour, was defeated. The matter was originally referred to the council for report by the last annual general meeting. The council considered that the proposal was not necessary because it would cause anomalies, such as excluding junior players or transfers for personal reasons, and would interfere with the rights of the individual.

New Vice-President The new vice-president of tiie N.Z.R.U. is Mr A. C. Rippin, of South Canterbury, who has served to an executive capacity on his own union for more than 30 years. All sitting members were returned and no new name appeared on the elected list. Officers elected were:— Patron, the Governor-General (Sir Arthur Porrltt); president, Mr B. A. Maee (Nelson); vicepresidents, Messrs E. C. Pinker (Bay ot Plenty), A. C. Ripping: council, Messrs B. L. Burk (Auckland), D. K. Ross (North Auckland), N. H. Stanley (Taranaki), W. A. Craddock (Ruller). V. L. George (Southland), C. K. Saxton (Otago); Maori representative, Mr R. Love (Wellington); executive, Messrs C. A. Blazey, J. L. Griffiths, M. S. Ingpen, F. D. Kilby, T. C, Morrison, J. L. Sullivan, E. L. Todd; appeal committee, Messrs S. S. Dean, A. Kirkpatrick, C. 8. Hogg.