RUGBY British Isles Expected To Win Second Test

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28920, 13 June 1959, Page 15

RUGBY British Isles Expected To Win Second Test

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.)

SYDNEY, June 12. The British Isles should win the second Rugby test against Australia at Sydney tomorrow, although the Australians will be trying hard to win their first major test at home in 25 years Although they are facing major competition from a Rugby league test between Australia and New Zealand on the neighbouring Sydney Cricket Ground, Rugby Union officials are confident that a crowd of at least 20,000 will see the match at the Sydney Sports Ground. Countless thousands more will watch on television.

The Lions have kept intact their speediest attacking backline and this, allied with their policy of open Rugby, has meant that the test has drawn more interest than any international match in Sydney in years. The possibility that, it could develop into a “needle” match might also have something to do with the flock of late applications for seats.

The predictions are that the Australian players will not be prepared to allow the Lions any leeway in the obstructing, jersey holding and the like that went on at Brisbane.

The duel between the Irish winger. A. J. F. O’Reilly, and Australia’s A Morton was one of the features of the -first test—but not a very good one. These two are opposed again tomorrow, and if there is the same amount of close marking that went on between them at Brisbane, the "needle” could indeed show. The main strength of the Lions again is in the back line, although the way the forwards went at Tamworth earlier this week against the New South Wales country team showed they must also be regarded as potentially top rate.

Whether the pack can reproduce that form remains to be seen. If it can, the match is as good as won.

Apart from the replacement of J. Potts as outside centre by last year’s Wallaby, R. Kay, the Australian team is the same that lost the first test, but much more is expected of it this time. The Australian forwards at Brisbane had very little sting and the backs showed a surprising lack of enterprise. A little more of both tomorrow could beat the Lions.

Kay could prove a matchwinner for Australia at centre if he can recapture his best New Zealand form. It was in the. centres that the first test team fell down.

With his straight running and crash tackling. Kay could prove too much of a handful for the young Irishman, D. Hewitt.

Hewitt beat Kay easily in the opemng match of the tour against Victoria but Kay that dav was teaJ^H 7 tl? n h° nly baCk in his team. He will have much stronger support this time. s

With Kay at centre it could also mean that Australia’s speedy left wing, K. J. Donald, will be a much more effective player than at Brisbane. Donald, probably the fastest of all the wings m. that match, was completely bottled up by England’s P. B. Jackson just because he was getting the ball too late. Jackson will definitely play tomorrow. There had been some ooubts that he would be available because of severe grass burns on his thigh, but he was passed fit today. The Lions’ full-back, K. J. F. Scotland, and the flank forward, G. K. Smith, also had to receive treatment for grass burns this week, but tney too have been passed fit to play in the test. The kick-off is scheduled for 5.15 p.m. New Zealand time. The teams are:—

Great Britain.— K. J. F. Scotland (Scotland); A. J. F. O’Reilly (Ireland), D. Hewitt (Ireland) M. J. Price (Wales), P. B. Jackson (England); A. B. W. Risman (England); R. E. G. Jeeps (England); R. W. D. Marques (England); N. A. Murphy (Ireland), W. R. Evans (Wales), R. H Williams (Wales), G. K. Smith (Scotland); H. F. McLeod (Scotland), A. R. Dawson (Ireland, captain), S. Millar (Ireland). Australia.— J. Lenehan; K. J. Donald, R. Kay, L. Diett, A. Morton; A. Summons; D. Connor; R. Outterside; P. Fenwick (captain), A. Miller, J. Carroll, J. Thornett; K. Ellis. P. Johnson, P. Dunn.

NORTH—SOUTH. MATCH

Number Of Definite Casualties

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 12.

Few results in any sport have been so hard to predict as the NorthSouth Island Rugby match tomorrow. Players who are attractions in themselves are D. B. Clarke, P. F. Jones (who has the ’flu and may not play), E. A. R. Pickering, I. N. MacEwan, W. J. Whineray. S. F. Hill, E. S. Diack, and a South Island winger, B. McPhail, of Canterbury. Athletic Park will be in good condition. It is forecast that there may be a few scattered showers, driven by a strong north-westerly wind. There are a number of definite—and a few possible—casualties. Jones may not play. South’s No. 8, D. J. Graham, is out with leg injuries, and A. J. Soper comes in from the early game. Soper’s place is taken by Wellington loose forward, J. Grbich. I. H. McDonald, prop, to play in the early game, has not recovered from injuries, and is replaced by A. G. E. Rowlands, with Wellington’s J. H. Williams going in to the reserves. W. S. Fleming is a doubtful starter in the early match. He is still feelin? the effects of a leg muscle strain. Davies has a touch of influenza, but is likely to be playing. S. K. Henderson has a snre leg. but will probably play, and M. R. Dunne, similarly. may take the field.

ALL BLACKS FOR 1960

Three Matches In Australia

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 12. The New Zealand Rugby team which goes to South Africa next year will play three matches 1n Australia.

The fixtures will be discussed with the Australian delegates to this year’s International Board meeting which will be held in New Zealand.

Decisions to that effect were made at today’s New Zealand Rugby Football Union Council meeting. The meeting also agreed that the tourists should have a manager and an assistant-manager, responsible to the manager, for the coaching of the team.

Nominations for the officials will close on October 31, and the appointments will be made at the council meeting in November.