SHIELD CHALLENGES

Evening Star, Issue 25895, 12 September 1946, Page 4

SHIELD CHALLENGES

FAILURE TO OBSERVE RULES FAULT LIES WITH UNIOHS (PA.) WELLINGTON. Sept. 11. The regulations governing, games tor the Ranfurly Shield were framed by the New Zealand Rugby Union as a whole, and the council’s and the executive’s duty, was to administer them, whatever they might b,e. This statement was made by Mr S., S. Bean,, chairman of the N.Z.R.U., in commenting on the remarks of the president of the Southland Union, Mr R. J. McEwen, regarding the challenge by North Otago for the shield. “ When Otago and Canterbury challenged for the shield,” Mr Dean said, “ the New Zealand Union was. notified in accordance with the regulations and the challenges were notified to and accepted by Southland. With regard to Wairarapa, when the fixtures for the season were being made after the last annual meeting of-the New Zealand Union, it was mentioned by the Wairarapa delegates that it was their intention to challenge for the

shield, but it was not reported officially to the governing body oy tne Wairarapa Union until the day prior to the game. So far as the south Canterbury game is concerned, although tins fixture was made after the annual meeting, it had never been advised to: the New Zealand Union that it was to be a challenge match tor the shield. The first otheial intimation the New Zealand Union received that the North Otago match was being played was a wire within the last few days seeking information on the matter of their challenge. “ The regulations governing the (Ranfurly Shield games,” continued Mr Dean, “ provide, inter alia, that any union meeting the holder of the shield in the course of. it's ordinary union matches shall have the_ right,to declare beforehand to the New Zealand Union and to the union holding the shield, that such match shall also be a challenge match. The regulations further provide that any union desiring to play a challenge match with the holder shall give notice to the New Zealand Union of such desire not lajter than the end of August each year. > Because no matches had been played for the shield during the years of war, and with changes of secretaries and the personnel of affiliated unions, it is unfortunate that the requirements should be overlooked but the rules are printed in the New Zealand Union Handbook, which is in possession of all the unions. Whether the council in its wisdom may grant any dispensation, both in regard to games that have been played and those which do not conform to the regulations, I cannot say, but my own personal opinion is that some leniency could be extended in view of the circumstances outlined above, particularly as all the unions have been in agreement with regard to the playing of the games, and, after all, a technical breach only has been committed.”