Odds Are Not So High This Time

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30211, 16 August 1963, Page 18

Odds Are Not So High This Time

I By Out Rugby League Correspondent ]

1 he Northern Union Cup, wrested from Auckland in a surprise win last season, will be at stake when the Canterbury Rugby League side plays at the Epsom Show Grounds tomorrow. While the odds are again stacked in Auckland’s favour, if Canterbury gives a repeat performance it will not come as such an out-of-the-blue upset as it did last year.

North Island’s narrow victory over the South three weeks ago, Auckland’s unconvincing win over the South Africans and the major changes made in the Auckland team for tomorrow’s game are all promising signs for Canterbury supporters.

The fact that the Auckland selectors have dropped seven Kiwis suggests complacency, but a more likely explanation is that their performances in recent weeks do not warrant selection.

It is to be hoped that if Canterbury is successful Auckland will not excuse its defeat by claiming it fielded its B team.

There will still be five New Zealand representatives in the side to Canterbury’s two Kiwis, but included in the Canterbury 13 are a number of players who have been close to national honours for some time and others who should play for their country before long. Possession is certain to be a deciding factor and a great deal will depend on Canter--bury’s hooker, B. T. Barron. Canterbury must ensure that the ball is kept away from the speedy Auckland wings, B. T. Reidy and K. R. McCracken, as either could be a match-winner if receiving sufficient opportunities. The rest of the Canterbury back-line should be able to hold its own, but another player upon whom a great deal will depend is the first five-eighths, J. Walshe. His understanding with the halfback, R. Irvine, should be a great advantage, and the match will be a great opportunity for these two fine young players to show their worth.

The centres, J. Bray and B. Langton, are both relatively inexperienced in firstclass League, but reveal distinct promise and should give competent displays.

If Canterbury is to win. the forwards will have to prove

their superiority. The selectors may have taken a calculated risk in playing the excellent loose forward, R. Turton, as a lock. If he is instructed to play tight it will curb his natural ability ami may have an upsetting effect on his game. But Canterbury cannot afford to have two forwards both playing a loose game. Sound Trio G. Cooper. M. Mohi and J. H. Fisher are a sound trio of tight forwards, while M. L. Cooke can be depended upon to play his usual honest game. Even with the number of changes in the pack, the Auckland scrum is certain to be powerful, and R. Ackland will be a constant menace to the Canterbury inside-backs.

Some of the Auckland forwards are unknown qualities, but the back-line presents a formidable array of talent. However, Canterbury’s great advantage is that the team has been training together for several weeks, and with a good work-out against the West Coast earlier in the season and the match against a B side last Sunday, the side should be at its peak tomorrow.

On Sunday Canterbury will play Waikato at Huntley, and the team will include the other five members of the squad not in action tomorrow. The code has grown considerably in Waikato in recent years, and there are a number of promising young players in its representative side.