Danger Man To N.Z. Is Sharp

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30302, 30 November 1963, Page 21

Danger Man To N.Z. Is Sharp

[From A. R. VEYSEY, N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent) TORQUAY, November 29. The New Zealand loose forwards and M. A. Herewini face their most formidable defensive task of the tour so far when the All Blacks play Southwestern Counties at Exeter tomorrow. The object of their attentions will be the man internationally regarded as the best stand-off half in the world, R. A. W. Sharp.

There has been evidence in some of the All Blacks matches of a fluidity of the defensive system close to the scrum—exploited by a run of the mill footballer in G. Musto for Pontypool and Cross Keys on Wednesday and notably so by the young Cambridge player, M. Gibson. Sharp is the most dangerous single opponent the All Blacks will meet in England, and as such it is imperative that he is contained. However, just as it would be foolish for the All Blacks to underestimate the influence Sharp might have on the game, so it would be foolish to overestimate it. Sharp’s appearance poses the New Zealanders an intriguing tactical exercise. Sharp is a long-limbed strider rather than an explosive accelerator, and as such he is a most deceptive runner—perhaps a similar type to I. N. Uttley, of Wellington. Sharp is a stranger to New Zealand but not so two of the other internationals in the side. At full-back is R. W Hosen who made such a marked impression on the England tour of New Zealand, and locking the scrum will be A. M. Davis, who gave such a remarkable demonstration of courage in the second test of that same tour. The other internationals are the centre. A. M. Underwood, and the flanker. D. C. Manley. The latter has a fine record against international teams and tomorrow’s match will give him a full hand against all major Rugby playing countries. With the first international against Ireland little more than a week away it is interesting to find New Zealand giving K. C. Briscoe his second run in succession at half-back.

Another line on test prospects may result from the re-appearance of D. A. Arnold, at second fiveeighths. If he comes through unhampered he will make a strong bid for a test place. In the absence of W. J. Nathan and K R. Tremain because of injury, S. T. Meads and K. A. Nelson have two of the loose forward positions—Meads in the back and Nelson on the side. Meads is playing especially well and looks a strong possibility to go into the test team. The other selection which is out of sequence is that of J. M. Le Lievre at prop. He has brought his game up to top pitch and may be nudging at K. F. Gray, although the Wellington man is playing consistently well. New Zealand.—D. B. Clarke. W. L. Davis, P. F. Little. R. W. Caulton. D. A. Arnold. M. A. Herewini, K. C. Briscoe. S. T Meads, D. J. Graham, C. E. Meads, A. J. Stewart, K. A. Nelson, W. J. Whineray, D Young, J. M. Le Lievre. South-west Counties.—R. W Hosen. P. J. Thoming. J. Glover. A. M. Underwood. P .S. Lewis R- A. W. Sharp (captain). P. J. B. Mitchell. P. Glazsher. P. E. McGovan. A. M. Davis. W N. Southern. D. C. Manley. C. R John. C. L. Scott. R. G. Smeradon.