Wanganui Match Venue Changed To DargaviSle

Northern Advocate, 19 July 1949, Page 7

Wanganui Match Venue Changed To DargaviSle

THE changing of the venue of the Northland-Wanganui •match from Whangarei to Dargaville, the finalising of arrangements for the first major fixture of the season between Auckland and Northland at Whangarei on Monday, and a discussion on the playing of the annual Maori-Pakeha game as a Northland trial constituted the principal'business at thejnonthly meeting ol the NARU management committee in Whangarei last night.

The decision to p lay the Northland Wanganui match at Dargaville was un animous.

i\lr Corr thought it would be all right to play the game as a trial providing there were only three or four emergencies for each team.

The Whangarei sub-union intimated by loiter that it favoured one gamebeing awarded to Northern Wairoa. The chairman (Mr D. K. Ross) expressed himself as still in favour ot the big matches being centralised at Whangarei but, in view of the Whangarei sub-union’s attitude, he felt that Northern Wairoa’s request should be granted. Mr J,. Cowie said that Mangonui attached most importance to the financial angle, particularly this year, but, at the same lime. felt. that. Northern Wairoa was entitled to some consideration.

"Forty-six players were' chosen for Saturday's game. This was equivalent to more than three teams,” he added. Mr Finlayson: Too many players were put on the ground. His motion was carried. Mr Ross being the only dissentient. The rules for the Ling Cup competition between district high schools in the four northern sub-unions were approved with one amendment.. This stipulated (hat players taking part must not exceed the weight and age restrictions of the third-grade Powell Cup competition. It was decided that the Auckland B representative team which is visiting Northland on August 27 be matched against a combined team from the three unsuccessful south zone Harding Shield teams.

Mr H, Worthington (Otamatea) agreed that Wairoa was deserving of consideration.

Delegates decided to play the Wan-ganui-Nortliland game on September 10 at Dargaville. MATCH AGAINST AUCKLAND

The sole selector (Mr E. Griffin) was appointed manager of the Northland team playing Auckland on Monday. J. B. Smith is captain. Tine NA.R.U president. (Mr R. G. Murdoch) and Mr Ross will act as liaison officers with the Auckland team which arrives in Whangarei on Sunday evening and returns after the match the following day.

The game is to be played on the ground of the sub-union which is runner-up in the zone competition. The Northland selector will choose the combined side.

Mr Ross expressed the hope that this visit would be the forerunner of annual tours of Northland by Aucklannd teams, with each tour extending over a week. The match between Whangarei "and Bay of Islands for the fourth-grade shield is to be played at Whangarei on July 30. In the first match last season. Whangarei won the trophy. Permission was granted for the Bay of Islands and Rodney senior reps to play a friendly game at Rodney on July 30.

The Auckland party will comprise 1!) players and seven officials including Mr-M. M- N. Corner, a North Island selector and Mr E. French, an Auckland and New Zealand Maori selector.

The Northland team will assemble on Sunday morning and practice in the afternoon.

The big game will start at 1 o'clock cvn Monday.

Whangarei Boys’ High School will play Avondale College in the curtainraiser.

Two teams, of Whangarei primary schoolboys will fill in the break between the collegiate fixture and the provincial, Mr Ross intimated that, the Rugby Park and Kensington Park fields would be prepared as a safeguard against, wet weather. Mr F. T. C. Williams (Whangarei) will referee the Auckland match. TRIAL GAME CRITICISED

The playing of the Northland MaoriPakeha Brydon Trophy match as a representative trial caused the most protracted discussion of the tlnee-liour meeting.

The stage was set by Mr A. E. J. Corr (Bay of Islands) and by the receipt of a letter from the Whangarei sub-union.

Mr Corr said in the course of lu;> report on Saturday’s game that thebe was considerable feeling in Kaikohe against the game being played as a trial.

The Whangarei union expressed strong disapproval. The game was deserving of better recognition, it claimed- The playing of emergencies stifled the competition. Mr Ross likened Whangarei's attitude to closing the stable door after the horse had bolted.

Mr R. Armitage explained that it was. meant as a guide in the future.

Mr Ross pointed out that the last three Maori-Pakeha games had been played as trials and that the Northland and Tai Tokerau selectors had concurred.

Mr P. Walden (Northern Wairoa): The donor of the trophy (Mr W. Brydon) voiced strong objection to me before Saturday's game about it being played as a trial when the trophy was at stake. The Maoris, Mr Brydon told me, were very disappointed that it was not a straight-out contest, and he, as the donor, was not at all satisfied. "WOULD WITHDRAW TROPHY”

If the NARU continued to play the match as a trial, he would withdraw the trophy. He was very disappointed and dissatisfied and so were (he Maoris and pakehas,- Mr Brydon had said . Mr Co.wie: There was criticism in Mangonui after the game but not before. The matter was never discussed prior to the. match. Afterwards, however. it was felt, that the game had been spoilt through too many changes being made in the teams and that it would be better in future to make it a straight-out contest.

Mr J. A. Finlayson: In the interests of the NARU, I think it should be a straight-out contest. It could develop into just as important a fixture as an inter-provincial, but, if played as a trial, will lose the interest of players and. the public. The trophy also has to be considered. Mr Finlayson moved that it be a recommendation to next year's management committee that the match be played as a straight-out contest.

"If I was a Northland selector." he added, ”T would like to see the players in action for the 80 minutes." Mr Walden seconded.

Mr Corr: Mr Brydon presented the trophy to the NARU and his remarks about withdrawing it are uncalled for. How the match is to be played is entirely in the hands of the union.

Mr Ross: The rules for the competition do not stipulate that; the match shall not be played as a trial! The donor was on the sub-committee' which drew up the rules.

R.U. Conference Postponed

WELLINGTON. Mon. iFA.).~ The New Zealand Rugby Union conference wit.h Australia has been postponed because of the coal strike and a new date is to be fixed after advice is received from Australia. This was announced at today's meeting of fhe NZR.IJ management committee.

A suggestion from the Nelson union that the British team next year tram at Nelson between 'its arrival and beginning of the lour was referred to the tourist committee. The Wanganui, union was refused permission to make Spriggen's Park available for a Rugby League match on September 2(5.