RANFURLY SHIELD

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 83, 9 April 1934, Page 11

RANFURLY SHIELD

THIS YEAR'S CHALLENGES

HAWKE'S BAY EAGER

Canterbury having staved oft' such challenges as were met last year, still holds the Eanfiirly Shield, and, although tho season lias not yet officially commenced, there are. indications that challenges for the big Rugby football trophy will be made in plenty. At one time Hawke's Bay put up a great record in resisting challenge after challenge, and that province is now eager to regain possession. Already a decision has been made by Hawke's Bay to outer a. challenge for the shield. Wellington's intentions are not known, but it is taken for granted that, as Wellington will be going on tour in the south this year, the match with Canterbury will bo for the shield, if the trophy is still in Canterbury's hands at that time. Details of the representative engagements will be considered by delegates when assembled in Wellington for the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Football Union. When, the motion that a challenge for the shield be entered was before the! annual meeting of the Hawke's Bay Union, the view was expressed by Mr. \V. T. Foster, in seconding the motion moved by Mr. G. A- Maddison, that the Hawke's Bay senior Rugby fifteen ought to have a good chance of: winning the shield if it showed equal form to that of the end of last season. ■ Tho .matter was raised by the Hawke's Bay selector, Mr. N. A. McKenzic,. who pointed out that during the coming season the Hawko's Bay team would be touring as far south as Invercargill. That tour would in the ordinary course of events bo made in September, but in view of the fact that the All Blacks would be visiting Australia at the end of July, and there were prospects of Hawke's Bay players being included, Mr. MeKenzie thought that tho southern tour should be made earlier. He suggested \that the (our take place in July, if possible. With regard to the Eaufurly Shield, he said: "It appears to be the general opinion that Hawke's Bay should issue a challenge. If so, it is in our interests to make the southern tour asUarly as possible." ' It was decided that the matter be left in the hands of delegates to the New Zealand Council to arrange a suitable dale for the tour.