SHIELD GAMES

NZ Truth, Issue 1168, 19 April 1928, Page 12

SHIELD GAMES

Otago Not Keen On Early One (From "N.Z. Truth's" Dunedin Rep.) It is more than likely that the first North Island union to come south this season will have the initial crack at Canterbury for the Ranfurly Shield. THE impression has been general 1 throughout the South Island, ami m certain parts of the North Island. that Otago would lodge a challenge fu,a match on June 3. On their performances last season, Otago appear to have an excellent opportunity of lifting the trophy, as they twice defeated the red and blacks at full strength, while the defection of Hore and Lindsay is not likely to be felt so keenly by Otago m comparison with Canterbury. Dictators of Rugby policy m Dunedin, however, are not keen on early season shield games and support the Auckland Rugby Union's notice of motion that no shield matches be played before the end of July. The Wairarapa Union, which on account of many of its rep. players being engaged m the farming industry invariably sends a team touring early ?.n the season; is likely to be one of the first northern unions to come south and m the event of Otago not lodging a challenge for an early clash with Canterbury, the wearers of the green will probably be the first fifteen to dispute the ownership of the trophy. The Otago delegates to the annual, meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union have been given a free hand m the matter arid can agree to any re-, presentative dates they consider advisable. Circumstances are always likely to , alter cases, but the Otago management committee has expressed itself against an early m,atch for the shield and prefer to push lon1 on with club fixtures. The union has, however, agreed to a request by the Wairarapa Union for an early game on the latter's southern tour.