RUGBY Wallaby Back To Have Late Fitness Check

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29908, 23 August 1962, Page 16

RUGBY Wallaby Back To Have Late Fitness Check

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 22. Australia’s team to meet New Zealand in the first Rugby test at Athletic Park, Wellington, on Saturday has one question mark against it.

Chosen at outside centre is B. J. Harland, from the upcountry town of Cobar, 350 miles west of Sydney, but if Harland fails to pass a fitness test on an injured ankle, he will not play.

The team, which was announced today is: J. K. Lenehan. J. S. Boyce. B. J. Harland. B. J. Ellwood, K. P. Walsham. P. F. Hawthorne. K. V. McMullen. R J Heming, G. A. Chapman, R. N. Thornett (captain). J. E. Thornett, E. L. J. Einrich, J. P. White. P. G. Johnson. J. E. Freedman.

by the wing three-quarter. J. S. Douglas. Boyce will probably move in one place, for Douglas to play on the wing A minor surprise was the selection of G. A. Chapman on the side of the scrum instead of C. P. Crittle. Chapman probably got his chance because of his goal kicking, but at Levin he could do no better than achieve about 40 per cent, success in this department. Crittle, on the other hand, produced first-class performances in each of the last two games. Unexpected Selection The side was much as expected, although the inclusion of K. V. McMullen ahead of K. W. Catchpole was unexpected. However, McMullen has the ability to do well, and the All Blacks in Australia earlier this year regarded him as the best opposing half they saw. One of the six test newcomers is the first five-eighth, P. F. Hawthorne, a 19-year-old from Newcastle. On his young shoulders may rest Australia's chances of winning the match. At Levin. Hawthorne rarely dropped the ball. and played extremely well. The team's first day in the capital was largely concerned with medical matters. The Queensland captain, R. A. C. Evans, was admitted to Wellington Hospital for observation with suspected inflam-

mation of the kidneys. A. R. Town and R. J. O. Marks had to receive treatment for a damaged ankle and hamstring respectively.

The chances of Harland being fit are highly doubtful. The high-stepping centre injured an ankle at Levin on Tuesday.

He had treatment for his Injury in Wellington today, but an X-ray examination showed there was no broken bone. A decision on his fitness will be made on Friday Douglas Replacement

If Harland is unable to play, his place will be filled