RUGBY Otago Has Task To Repeat 1950 Win Against Lions

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28938, 4 July 1959, Page 15

RUGBY Otago Has Task To Repeat 1950 Win Against Lions

i hew Akuuiva Press

DUNEDIN, July 3. The Otago Rugby team, which has won all three matches played this season, including, those against Mew Zealand Universities and Southland, seems to have a heavy task ahead of it tomorrow to beat the touring British Isles team. Nine gsars ago Otago beat the Lions,

In 1850 there were 12 players who had been All Blacks or were to wear the silver fern In the next season in the Otago team. This year only two—M. W. Irwin and W. D. Gillespie—have been All Blacks, but still the side seems an evenly balanced one, and so far has not lost any of the three matches played this season. , Fair weather is forecast. However, the “top-of-the-ground” running at which the Lions have proved so adept could suffer and bring the touring speedsters down to tackling speed. The forwards, coached by Mr P. A. Johnstone, who was a member of the Otago pack in the 1950 match, should give the Lions a good work-out. . . The Otago baekline with the newemmtvfcW. Mktalor, who« made w of speed to this point. The two wingers. W. P. McAuley and E. S. Diack, are more noted for their solidity than speed, but Diack once again demonstrated what a determined runner he is when he scored two tries for the New Zealand Universities team against the Lions on Wednesday. The most probable change for the Lions after today’s training is for Morgan to move into centre and for N. A. A. Murphy to go to the right wing. Morgan has not played at centre before, but as the fastest forward and a good handler is the likely choice. If this is the case A. Ashcroft will come into the scrum. ' . _ . The English right centre, J. Butterfield, has had to withdraw. The decision was made after Butterfield had a fitness trial at the ground this morning. So far no replacement has been named and might not be named till tomorrow morning. The manager of the team (Mr A. W Wilson) has a number of alternatives, the most likely of these at present appearing to be the inclusion of another back not vet quite fit or the transfer of a second forward to the left wing, which would be vacated by A J. F. O’Reilly, who would then move into the centre position One of the most important aspects of the game tomorrow from the Lions* point of view will be the form of M. C. Thomas at outside half (first five-eighths) In the probable absence of A. B. W. Rfsman because oi damaged knee tendons. Thomas could be the man in this position in the first test with New Zealand, to be played on the same ground in a fortnight. Thomas

played on the wing in thu 1950 match against Otago, and kicked a penalty that day. He is paired tomorrow with scrum half A. A. Mulligan. The likely teams are:—

British Isles: K. J. F. Scotland, A. J. F. O'Reilly, M. 3. Price, H. 3. Morgan, N. A. A. Murphy, M. C. Thomas, A. A. Mulligan, 3. Fauil, G. K. Smith. W. Hi Evans, R. W. D. Marques, A. Ashcroft, B. G. M. Wood. H. F. McLeod, S. Millar.

Otago: D. C. Leary: W. 3. McAuley, V. Lloyd, E. S. Diack; T. Jepson. H. EdwardS; W. Batchelor; P. N. Jennings, W. D. Gillespie. W. Lowe, K Nelson, R. J. Conway, M. W, Irwin, I. M. Stevens, W. B. Marshall.

RUMOUR ON LION S’ MATCH

Denial By Waikato Union (New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, July S. Waikato Rugby Union officials today denied a strong rumour that there is a likelihood of their union’s match with the British Isles on August 22 being transferred from Hamilton to Auckland. The rumour—current In both Auckland and Hamilton—ls believed to have arisen from a New Zealand Union query whether Hamilton s Rugby Park development work would be completed in time. Officials in Hamilton said today that their management committee had never discussed the possibility of the match. being ployed elsewhere. They pointed out that _ the. park’s new grandstand was already in use, and that although embankment accommodation work had been delayed by bad weather, it was now going time this season last Saturday. A special representative match between Waikato and North Auckland is to oe played there on July 25 to mark the official opening of the stand. The chairman of the Auckland union's management committee (Mr Tom Pearce) would not comment on the rumours, except to say: "Where the Lions’ match will be played is a matter for the Waikato union.