THREE WITHIN A WEEK

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 35, 10 August 1934, Page 3

THREE WITHIN A WEEK

RANFURLY SHIELD HOLDERS

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) HASTINGS, August 9. Hawke's Bay Rugby Union officials expressed strong disapproval of the action of the New Zealand Rugby Union in deciding that home matches against Taranaki, Wanganui, and Auckland on September 1, 6, and S respectively be Raufurly Shield challenge matches. Mr. J. W. Norrie, chairman of the management committee, said that it was fair neither to the public nor to the players, many of whom came long distances, to have three matches played in a week. Mr. N. A. McKenzie, cole selector, said that the decision was in direct contravention of the protection afforded Southland after that union had lifted the shield from AVairarapa.

.The New Zealand Rugby Unions management committee g?.ve no instruction at its meeting on Wednesday night that Hawke's Bay had to play all three matches —with Taranaki, Wanganui, and Auckland —from September 1 to S inclusive. Notices of challenges by .Auckland and Tai-anaki only were received at the meeting. The question asked by Hawke's Bay was whether they were, compelled to play for the shield this season. The reply was that they should play, and the point was emphasised by tho chairman (Mr. S. S. Dean) that compulsion should not enter into the matter. There should be no such thing as compel, he said-