Wanganui will seek shield rule change

Press, 27 November 1986, Page 48

Wanganui will seek shield rule change

PA Wanganui The Wanganui Rugby Union wants Ranfuriy Shield rules changed to allow Auckland to defend the trophy at Spriggens Park next season — Wanganui’s centenary year. The proposals came from Wanganui’s team manager, Danny Anderson, at the W.R.U.’s management committee meeting this week. Auckland has already allocated Wanganui the first 1987 challenge at Eden Park on Wednesday, July 15.

Present rules allow a holder to defend the shield on tour if it has retained the trophy for two full seasons or more

and provided a challenge has been accepted. Auckland, however, has held the shield for only one full season (1986) after taking it from Canterbury last year. Mr Anderson wants the qualifying period before a shield-holder can defend the trophy at an away venue reduced to one full season. He also wants the shield holder to be obliged to play one third division and two second division teams in away shield matches — at the ground of the challengers — each season.

Mr Anderson claims this will generate more Ranfuriy Shield interest in the smaller unions.

His notice of motion reducing the qualifying period for away shield matches to one season and including three away shield games against lower division teams was passed by the Wanganui management committee. It will now go to the New Zealand Rugby Union’s annual meeting next April. Wanganui will also write to the Auckland union seeking a switch of venue for next year’s shield match from Eden Park to Spriggens Park.

The possibility of a venue change could only arise if Wanganui’s notice of motion to the N.Z.R.F.U. is successful.