RUGBY Reputations At Stake In Canterbury Team

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29916, 1 September 1962, Page 5

RUGBY Reputations At Stake In Canterbury Team

With a string of victories against provincial sides behind them and a draw’with New Zealand in the first Rugby test at Wellington last week, the Australians will take the field against Canterbury at Lancaster Park today as a side playing well up to form.

The Australians, many of whom are young by New Zealand standards, have settled down remarkably well in this country and, as the All Blacks found last week, they have a stern and implacable defence.

The Canterbury side is a good one, arid if the team had been playing with any consistency it would not have been too imprudent to forecast a victory for the province. But Canterbury has boen up and down so much that none can say how it will fare today. There is an abundance of talent, both back and forward. with a blending of experience and youth, but the mixture has been a little unsuccessful at times. Sometimes the forwards have carried the burden and sometimes —but not often—the backs have wen the day. but only rarely have both sections combined really. effectively Reputations at Stake Canterbury will have six Al! Blacks —forwards J N Creighton, D J and J M. L-* Lievre. and backs. B A Watt, R. C Moreton. and P J Morrissey All will have to be on their tees to have a ch'nee of selection for the second test, for it seems that reputations will be disregarded when the national selectors consult this evening before announcing their side

The Australia® full-back J, K. Lenchan. is sure to be a favourite with the crowds Toll and well-built, he has a tremendous left foot punt

equally as powerful as D. B Clarke’s right foot, and just as accurate. Lenehan is a deadly tackler, too; in all he makes a formidable last line of defence. The Australian backs were not impressive offensively against New Zealand, but this was probably due to the lack of opportunities as much as anything else. But their defence was quite outstanding against the consistent probes of T. N Wolfe. R C Moreton and P F. Little—and Canterbury must be prepared to meet that same defence today Familiar Ground Lancaster Park is a familiar ground to Aiistralia’s captain. J. E. Thomett. He appeared there with the Australian Universities in 19-54 and for Australia in Hie second test four years later Ominously for Canterbury he has been on the winning sides both times . There could be one change in the Austral’ao side The No 8. R H. Heming. has a bad cold and a decision as to whether he will play will be made before the match. P Crrttle has been asked to stand by. The teams are:— Australia. — J K Lenehan: K P Walsham J S. Boyce. B J Ellwocd. J S Douglas: P. F. Hawthorne: K W

Catchpole; R. H. Hemir.g; G A. Chapman, J. E. Thomett (captain), R. N. Thornett. E. L. J. Heinrich: J. E. Freedman. P. G. Johndcn, J. P White.

Canterbury.—W. F. McCormick: W. Birtwistle. D. A. Arnold, P J Morrissey; R C. Moreton. B. A. Wa/tt; B Coulter: T H Moynihan; D J. Graham (captain). R. S Abel. A. J. Stewart. M J Murtagh: J Le Lievre, J. N. Creighton. M. W. Allen.