Combined Team Possible

Amalgamation, or some form of amalgamation, might have this desired effect. Earlier this year the Canterbury union approached Marlborough, Nelson, Bays and Buller unions for a composite team to play Canterbury on Lancaster Park. Marlborough and Buller have refused, but we understand the two local unions are still discussing the issue. It is our greatest hope, and that also of many others with the interests of Rugby at heart, that both unions will meet and discuss this proposition. Petty, parochial pressures must be pushed aside in the interests of the common good and surely here is a chance for the unions to provide incentives for their players, and the long suffering public with the chance of watching a local representative team playing a major union with a chance of success. In practically every other sport, the players are selected for the representative side from the whole province and with outstanding results. We're prepared to say that Bevan Congdon, good cricketer though he is, would probably not have represented New Zealand had he remained exclusively a Motueka and not a Nelson district cricketer. One final thought on representative Rugby - and that thought is about the Ranfurly Shield. We realise the importance of the Seddon Shield contest, but it is by no means the beginning and end-all of Rugby. In many areas of New Zealand it is unheard of. The trophy that really matters is the Ranfurly Shield and it is towards the winning of this that both unions should direct their combined efforts.

The shield is like Aladdin's Lamp. The holder can see the magic wrought by the trophy. Even the thought of a challenge for it moves players into hitherto undreamed-of voluntary training and effort. The holding of it fills the coffers of the union and brings prosperity to the district. But, since the Ranfurly Shield was first competed for in 1904, only three challenges have been lodged for it by our local unions - two from Nelson and one from Bays. It'S Time We Challenged Again, and this time, as a team representative of the whole district. We Say This - Challenge For The Ran-Furly Shield Next Year As A Combined Team, And Then Set About Raising The Finance Necessary.

These, then, are our views on Rugby in the two unions. We do not expect them to meet with universal approval. We have tried to be frank, and yet offer constructive criticism. All that we ask, is that the unions consider the matters raised in the article, especially the question of amalgamation. The game was born in Nelson. Let's keep it healthy and vital.

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The Bays team at training at Rugby Park, Motueka, where co-selectors Guy Bowers and Ron Horsley have to spend a lot of time on physical fitness training.

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Mr Alan Peterson, Rugby commentator in Nelson for the last 23 years: "Against a background of growing up in the Southland union, I have always found it hard to understand the division of the Nelson province. I have always believed in the two unions coming together and I always will. The local unions should seek the assistance of other unions such as Taranaki and Southland who have tackled this problem in two different but highly successful ways."