Interesting Newcomers To Canterbury's Rugby Team

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30454, 30 May 1964, Page 11

Interesting Newcomers To Canterbury's Rugby Team

KARLY success can mean much to a representative team and the Side that will represent Canterbury against Buller and West Coast should ensure that the representative season starts on a sound footing.

Three University players —J. N. Creighton, R. C. Moreton and M. C. Meikle—who certainly would have been in the team, are not available, but otherwise the selectors have chosen a very strong and experienced side.

But it is possible that more interest will be taken in the performances of individual players than in the result. The half-back position in recent Canterbury teams has hardly been satisfactory and many of Canterbury’s indifferent displays in the last two seasons have been because there has not been an effective link between backs and forwards.

L. Davis, the young Suburbs half-back, has been quite impressive in club games. He has a quick and accurate service and has combined very well with W. Cottrell. The selectors have recognised the value of this combination and in the first game Davis will play with Cottrell; in the game against

West Coast he will team with B. A. Watt. If the matches are played on heavy grounds Davis could receive a stern baptism in representative Rugby but if he can survive that and also play well with Watt he should be ensured of a regular place in the Canterbury team. Cottrell earned his place after a good trial and, perhaps also gained Davis his place, for Cottrell's superb handling has put a gloss on Davis’ passing which might have been tarnished by a less reliable handler. The playing of D. C. Leary at full-back against Buller probably has no great significance at this stage. It is difficult to see W. F. McCormick being replaced. However, Leary is the only recognised kicker in the team, and it is possible the selectors may wish to weigh his and McCormick’s ability at full-back with goal-kick-ing requirements. R. Morris has been given his chance on the right wing, although he has been something of a utility player for Christchurch. He is a clever player and quite fast

and even now seems, in some ways, a smaller edition of R. M. Smith. The main interest In the forwards will be to see how the two locks, J. Francis and A. Hopkinson, compare. Meikle seems assured of one lock’s position and whoever plays best out of the other two could be Meikle’s partner later in the season. Mid-Canterbury will face a strong Canterbury B team in the match at Lancaster Park on Monday. Creighton and Meikle will give added strength to the pack, which also will Include T. H. Moynihan and the very promising young forwards. T. K. McDonald and J. S. Baird. The B team backs include B. R. Prestidge—who in his first senior season has played for New Zealand Universities —and the fast Merivale wing, M. Head.