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Chronicle (Levin), 17 June 1947, Page 7

' WELLIN fcrTU.N , June 16. If the North Auckland Union intended, as reported in the press, to nave its team in Invercargill eight , days bef ore its match with Soiithland for the Ranf urly\ shield, it would have to be advised . that .auch was. contrary to the rules. - • - This was stated. by Mr. S: S- Dean, chairman at today's meeting of the management committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union, .when a newspaper clipping was discussed dealing with North Auckland 's plans for its shield challenge. " When members asked: what the rule stated on the matter/Mr. Dean said the question of assembling teams before the .match had cropped up during the 1930 tour of New Zealand by the British team. It had always beefi the practice in this country to assemble teams for a week before a big match. The International Board had subsequently given a ruling that it was contrary to the spirit of amateur f ootball that a team should. be assembled during the period before the match, for the purpose of a change of air or for training. In reply to a question Mr. Dean said a reasonable period would be quite permissible, such as two or three days, according to the amount of travelling involved. A spell of a week, however, only applied when a team was undertaking a big overseas tour and when tests were pending. " Members agreed that the amount of travelling should determine the period, in local games and that in the case of , North Auckland travelling to Invercargill, two to three days before the' match should be adequate under the rules. In view of the shipping position having mado the tour of -Fiji by a Maor.i team impracticable, it was agreed to arrange a three weeks '■ tour within New Zealand, providing for sev'en games by the Maoris, unions to be circularised to ascertain what dates would be available for matches. Members agreed that the Maori team would be a particularly strong combination fully capable of extending the best provineial sides. Cabled advice was received from Mr. Strang, manager of the All Blacks, that players were agreeable to play Auckland in a midweek match on their return. It was decided to send' a message of congratulation to the team on its succqss in the first test.