THE RANFURLY SHIELD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19966, 7 June 1928, Page 10

THE RANFURLY SHIELD.

CHALLENGES RESTRICTED. GOVERNING BODY'S DECISION. [by telegraph.—press association.) WELLINGTON. Wednesday. Ranfurly Shield challenges were discussed at a meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union this evening. The Auckland Union forwarded challenges for the shield to the Wairarapa, Canterbury, South Canterbury, Otago, Southland and Wellington Unions. The South Canterbury Union %vrote stating that the Canterbury Union had advised that it would ho unable to set aside a date for a shield match before July 18, on which date Canterbury had agreed to play Wairarapa. South Canterbury asked if it would bo in order in declaring its match with Canterbury a match for the trophy. A motion "that in respect to matches for the Ranfurly Shield all challenges shall be subject to acceptance by the home union and also to the approval of the New Zealand Rugby Union in committee," was moved. Mr. E. McKcnzio said that in the event of Wairarapa winning the shield from Canterbury would the team be compelled to play Auckland for the trophy immediately upon its return ? If (his were insisted upon Wairarapa would have to cancel (he match with South Canterbury. Mr. S. S. Dean: The New Zealand Union has a right to say which shall bo challenge matches.

Mr. E. Wylie: Pule 2 gives the New Zealand Union certain rights, but no right where the match is played on the ground of the holder of the shield. Mr. Dean: I am quite convinced that the rule intends that the New Zealand Union should have the right to decide which shall ho challengo matches. A team might be called upon to play a shield match the very day it returns from a strenuous tour. Rule 5 was put to limit special challenge matches, as these made special charges on the gate money. Mr. Dean moved: "That in regard to the Runfurly Shield only the actual holders of the shield can be challenged." Mr. Wylie moved as an amendment that the matter be referred to the union's solicitors. He subsequently withdrew his amendment and Mr. Dean's motion was carried.