Why Auckland Can't Get Shield Game

Chronicle (Levin), 3 August 1948, Page 3

Why Auckland Can't Get Shield Game

i ^ • WELLINGTON, August , 2. Following receipt ,bf an explanation from the Otago Union, the management committee oi the N ew'. Zealand Rugby Union decided .today to advise Auckland that it could not accede to its request for its special Ranfurly Shield challenge to be played on August 14^ Otago explained that 'in arranging -its programme for the season,- priority had been given in shield cliallenges to tliose unions which had been unable to seeure 1 shield games in 1947, to. provinces whiGh ' had been asked to delay their tp.urs to coincide with the Qtago Centennial, notably Wanganui and Wellington, and to provinces which would be. undertaking southem tours. These facts ' had 1 been explained to the Auckland delcgates at the annual nieeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union in May, when regret was expressed that^the programme of matches was too heayy t.o perniit an Otago-Auckland shield gaine. 'An assur-'' ance was given, howeverj that Otago would endeavour to arrange a lixture before the end of the season if possible. When the West Coast match on August 11 had been caneelled, Auckland 's request for this date was declined. because it claslied with priorities and also because Otago never contemplated playing three matches against major unions in one weck, especially so nea ihe beginning of the representative season. Further, the All Black trials in-. creased the heavy nature of the season. Otago also pointed to heavy travelling involved for its country players, eight of whom were in the representative side. Discjualification of Proctor. A motion by Mr A. A. Bakor, seeonded by Mr T. C. Morrison, that I. Proctor, wlio had been disqualilied 'from Rugby tlirough signing a contract to play Rugby League in England, shouldbe expelled from Rugby, was defeated. Mr' Baker said it was high time a firm stand was taken against the type of player who got all he could out oi' Rugby and then turned over' to a proi'essional game. The ehairman, Mr. A. ,St. C. Belcher, expressed doubt at the' wisdom of a penalty diil'ereiit froin that imposed for similar action in the past by noted footballers. Af.r A. J. McDonald agreed with this view. It was decided to obtain the views of the Auckland Union on the question of inviting a Fijian ceam to tour thai province in October.