THE RANFURLY SHIELD.

Evening Star, Issue 22443, 14 September 1936, Page 11

THE RANFURLY SHIELD.

to THE EDITOR. Sir, —With reference to the refusal of the Otago Rugby Union to accept the special challenge for the Ranfurly Shield, from the Hawke’s Bay Union, there is one aspect that seems to have been overlooked by your correspondent, “ Bayite,” but which in my opinion quite justifies the Otago Rugby Union in refusing to entertain the challenge. During the competition for the shield year, bv vear the Otago Rugby Union has never, like other unions, such as Hawke’s Bay, made special excursions in quest of the shield, and I think 1 am safe in saying never once issued a special challenge for it. Otago was content to wait until it met the holders on its ordinary tour every second year or so, otherwise I have no doubt Otago would have become possessors of the shield long before it did. As the Otago Rugby Union did not favour special shield matches when not in possession, of the Ranfurly Shield, I consider it is quite justified in claiming the right to refuse a special challenge now that it has to defend it. I think this should be a sufficient answer to Mr IS. A. M'Kenzie, of Hawke’s Bay, if he has anything further to say on the matter* —I am, etc., j September 12.