RUGBY TO LEAGUE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20307, 15 July 1929, Page 15

RUGBY TO LEAGUE.

FOOTBALLERS CHANGE CODES W. SHORTLAND AND P. SKELTON. Rugby supporters received a inild surprise 011 Saturday when it became know* that W. Short land, the North Auckland and Maori representative halfback, had played for the City Club in the League championship at Carlaw Park. Tlie Wbangarei correspondent of the Herald telegraphed during last week that Shortland was leaving to take up his residence in Auckland. Such anouncement was greeted with enthusiasm in Auckland, as it was agreed Shortland would fill a much-needed want as far as representative football was concerned, i.e., a good halfback. Speculation was nle as to which club Shortland would join, but it was generally thought he would throw in his lot with Manukau. The North Auckland representative arrived iu tiie city on Friday evening, when there was not the slightest suspicion that ho was going to the League game. In fact many of those most closely connected wtili tho League code were unaware that Shortland was going to play until he appeared at Carlaw Park. Shortland's loss to the Rugby game is a severe one, as ho is a very fine halfback. He was one of the star backs in the Maori team which toured tho Old Country and France three seasons ago. Another Rugby player, although not such a prominent one as Shortland, to join the League code on Saturday was P. Skelton, formerly a member of the Grammar Old Bovs' Club. Skelton has played a few games for Grammar this season, but for the most part lias acted as emergency back. A. C. Fahvasser. who was booked to leave Wellington by the Corinthic last week to play League with an English club arrived in Auckland at mid-dav on Saturday. He was at Eden Park ready to plav for Manukau, but the Auckland Rugby Union would not agree to his playing pending an inquiry as to his status.