Why Did Paewai Go Back To Rugby

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 120, 11 August 1927, Page 11

Why Did Paewai Go Back To Rugby

RELATIONS WITH LEAGUE CODE

SOME interesting' facts have now come to light in connection with the recently reported transfer of Luis Paewai, the Grafton Club and All Black footballer, from Rugby to the League code. Some weeks ago, a statement in THE SUN that Paewai was contemplating joining the Marist League Olub occasioned a tremendous flutter in Auckland Rugby circles, and strenuous denials and counter-denials were the order of the day.

*QNE paper went to great pains to discredit THE SUN’S account of the position. It has now swung round in the other direction, and last evening timidly asked: ‘‘Did Paewai sign on with the League?” Considering that this journal was recently assuring its readers that THE SUN’S report was ‘‘only a rumour,” its present attitude represents a remarkable change of front. The Auckland Rugby League has in its possession a document, a photograph of which is reproduced in this issue, which will want a lot of explaining away by those who were so ready to challenge THE SUN’S statement of the position, and who are now staging a remarkable series of somersaults over the whole affair. TRAINED WITH MARIST? THE SUN is informed from an authoritative source in Auckland League football that no effort was made in the first instance to attract Paewai to the League game. On the contrary, it is stated that Paewai first

approached the Marist League Club, and further that he was at the Marist League training sheds being instructed in the League “play-the-ball” rule a few nights before the match in which it was understood that Paewai would make his first appearance for the Marist League Club. The document which is in possession of the Auckland Rugby League, is briefly as follows: “1, L. Paewai, of 30 Lincoln Street, Ponsonby, do hereby apply to be enrolled as a playing member of the Auckland Rugby League, and wish to play for the Marist Brothers’ Old Boys’ Club under the jurisdiction of Northern Union football until transferred in accordance with the rules and bylaws of the Auckland Rugby League.” The application is witnessed by Mr. Daniel McCarthy. Appended is an application from the Marist Club signed by Mr. D. P. Deere

for the registration of Paewai, and the signature of Mr. I. Culpan, secretary of the Auckland Rugby League, affirming that Paewai was accepted as a League player.