NEPIA’S EXPLANATION

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12527, 17 August 1926, Page 9

NEPIA’S EXPLANATION

CAN EASILY CLEAR HIMSELF DOES WELLINGTON HARBOUR A GRUDGEP Per Press Association. NAPIHR, August 16. A Wellington correspondent, writing to the “Hawke's Bay Herald,” points out that 12 days have elapsed since the management committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union decided to give George Nepia 14 days in which to explain his defection from the Maori team to tour England and France, and that - so far no communication on the subject had been received. The correspondent states that while it was not in the power of the union to suspend Nepia, it is expected that unless the explanation which he gives is satisfactory he will have worn the All Black jersey for the last iime. When the matter wae referred this evening to Mr N. A McKenzie, the

Hawke's Bay selector), he said it would be impossible for Mepi&'s reply to be in the hands of the Hawke's Bay Union before Friday. “I will say this much concerning Nepia's position,” continued Mr McKenzie. “Although I cannot in confidence saj anything about his private affairs, Nepia will have no trouble in clearing himself. No one more than he wantyd te go on tour in France and England, and it was through no fault of his he did not go. Unforeseen circumstances arose over which he had no control and which could not be overcome. It was these circumstances which compelled his withdrawal from the Maori team. “It seems remarkable that Wellington should worry so much over Nepia, and it seems to suggest that there is 6ome motive behind it. There are those in Wellington who have undoubtedly got a grudge against Hawke's Bay. S seems apparent it is a certain member of the New Zealand union who has been responsible for quite a number of questions being asked concerning Hawke's Bay players. Tilts such as these are . most unfair, and it would have been better to have gone about thia matter in a proper manner.”