HOW WAIRARAPA RETAINED RANFURLY SHIELD

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 725, 26 July 1929, Page 7

HOW WAIRARAPA RETAINED RANFURLY SHIELD

VK7AIRARAPA retained the ** Ranfurly Shield after a close game with Hawke’s Bay last week-end, but it only really did so with the aid o:: three exHawke’s Bay players—Cooke, Mill and Irvine. The score, id points to 6. indicates that even with the loss of the three Players named, Hawke’s Bay still has a formida b 1 e fifteen, and with a little luck the balance of profit might easily have been in the other direction. With the two All Blacks, Cooke and Mill, in the centre back positions. Wairarapa was in the fortunate position of being able to make openings whieh eventually brought it the victory. One of the most noticeable players on the ground was a Te Aute College colt, Ruru. who played in the threequarter line for Hawke’s Bay, and made some really sensational runs, the indications being that he will be very unfortunate if he does not occupy a prominent place in the Xew Zealand selection next season when the Englishare here. Among the forwards the outstanding figure was Wilson, who also plays for Hawke's Bay, and the fact that he is not in Australia seems to point directly at the very haphazard manner in which the New Zealand team has this year been chosen and with what dire results.