RUGBY TEAM DISCIPLINED

Taranaki Daily News, 28 September 1929, Page 9

RUGBY TEAM DISCIPLINED

NOVEL EXCUSE GIVEN. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Te Kuiti, Sept. 26. At a meeting of the management committee of the Maniapoto Rugby Union held on Wednesday night the failure of a certain senior team to keep its appointment to play another team was discussed, and resulted, subject to the confirmation of the New Zealand Rugby Union, in the disqualification of a number- of players in the team concerned. “We are bound to take a serious view of this matter,” said the chairman, “or we would be lacking in our duty to the other team and to the public.” A member: The boys were induced by their elders to attend a tangi at Otewa. The chairman: Yes, I had that tale spun to me, but on inquiry I found that the death in question did not eventuate till the following day. Another member: On a previous occasion when they went to Taranaki they made the excuse that the driver ran away with them. The chairman: On this occasion the driver ran away with them. It is very regrettable that the players in the other team, who are such good sports, should be victimised on both occasions. The owner-driver of the lorry concerned was also warned off all grounds for twelve months.