Both Hastings East and Hastings West made their initial and official entry into the Ross Shield Tournament at the 1990 tournament hosted in Hastings. For the first time the two Hastings teams were representative of specific districts, rather than an ‘A’ and a ‘B’ team as applied in 1989.

In 1987 Taupo made known their intention to withdraw from the Ross Shield due to their Sub Union affiliating with the King Country Rugby Union because of geographical considerations, but received special dispensation to compete in and host the 1988 tournament.

At the Annual Ross Shield Manager’s meeting in 1988 it was agreed that Hastings, who were willing and offered to do so, be split into two teams thus avoiding the bye and assisting with the organisation. Difficulties that arose from that meeting were the voting rights for the Hastings teams, the composition of the teams and whether collusion by the urban teams would occur.

On application for approval from the Hastings Sub Union barriers were placed by them which prevented smooth implementation of the setting up of the two teams and after several inconclusive meetings a dictate from HBRU ordered that two teams from Hastings be entered. Because of the time constraint an ‘A’ and ‘B’ team were entered in 1989, called euphemistically ‘Hastings Black’ and ‘Hastings Green’, which wasn’t entirely satisfactory from the selection and coaching angle. The ‘A’ Team won the shield but the ‘B’ team acquitted itself well finishing mid-table in points.

In 1990 the teams represented specific districts thus allowing parochialism and spirit to be developed. The Hastings Sub Union continued to express their disfavour of two teams and the additional costs involved; some areas were unhappy with the district boundaries; others saw the opportunity for more players to participate; and when the teams ran onto the field there was criticism about the colours of the West team.

But that is Ross Shield. Happiness is controversy.