RANFURLY SHIELD CONTEST UNCERTAIN

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 68, 11 June 1927, Page 13

RANFURLY SHIELD CONTEST UNCERTAIN

HAWKE’S BAY’S AIMS

VETO BY N.Z. UNION?

(Special to THE SUN.) WELLINGTON, Friday.

Though the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union desires that its return match with Wairarapa at Masterton should be a Ranfurly Shield contest, it is by no means certain that the game will be for the trophy. Before a contest can be considered a shield match it is necessary for the New Zealand Rugby Union to receive a challenge and approve it. At the last meeting of the union no challenge was received from Hawke’s Bay, and though there will be another meeting of the controlling body before the two unions meet at Masterton it is problematic whether approval will be given. Wairarapa is not anxious for the game to be for the trophy, but under the rules of the competition cannot refuse the challenge on their home ground. Also, it is evident that a considerable body of opinion on the New Zealand Rugby Union is against giving Hawke's Bay permission to seek the shield, the view being that the province has already held the trophy for five years, and that Wairarapa is entitled to a chance to defend it for one year. The shield is certain to bring the holders matches with major unions. Though nothing official has passed between Wairarapa and other bodies so far, there is a distinct possibility of both Canterbury and "Wellington sending teams to Masterton in quest of the trophy, and Wairarapa has unofficially advised representatives of both unions that it is prepared to negotiate for dates with their teams. If the shield is taken back to Hawke’s Bay, Wa.irarapa will lose a season’s good football. which it is considered the win over Hawke’s Bay has earned for the province.