NO WORD FROM NEPIA

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12527, 17 August 1926, Page 11

NO WORD FROM NEPIA

N.Z. RUGBY UNION WAITING EXPLANATION REQUIRED. Though 12 days have elapsed since the management committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union decided to call on George Nepia, the famous full-back, to explain his defection from the Alaori team chosen to make the European tour, there is not yet any advice on the subject to hand. The New Zealand Union gave Nepia 14 days in which to give some explanation of the manner in which he is said to have deserted the team at the last moment, and compelled it to sail without a full-back, but a member of the management committee stated yesterday that the communication would have to go through the Hawk e’s Bay Union, and that it was hoped that they would hold an inquiry wxiiic .>epia. was in town for the Ranfurly Shield match of last Saturday. If that was done, an early statement on the subject should be forthcoming. While it is 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 th 6 last time.