Wallabies Favoured To Win Opening Game

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30511, 5 August 1964, Page 19

Wallabies Favoured To Win Opening Game

(New Zealand Press A.soeiation'

WANGANUI, August 4.

There was still some doubt in the Australian Rugby camp, even after today’s light training run, whether the brilliant young Newcastle back, P. Hawthorne, will play against Wanganui tomorrow in the first match of the Wallabies’ tour.

Hawthorne, named as second five-eighths, had his first training

run in New Zealand today. He has been suffering from an arm and a leg infection.

Although the Australian coach, Mr A. Roper, said he expected Hawthorne to play, the 20-year-old Queensland University back, R. Trivett, has been bracketed with Hawthorne as second five-eighths. Strong Forwards

Probably in an effort to have the pack working as a unit by the time of the first test in Dunedin on August 15, the likely test forwards, with G. Davis the only absentee, has been picked against Wanganui. The captain, J. Thornett, the hooker, P. Johnson, and J. White make a powerful and experienced front row. while D. O’Neill, at number eight, is the only forward without, test experience. In the Australian practice of not carrying a vice-cap-tain, it looks as though K. Catchpole will be leading the backs. He has controlled the backs through both training runs.

Catchpole made his name in the memorable New South Wales win against the 1959 Lions, and can now look back on 12 test appearances. He has shown no sign that the leg injury he suffered last month in Australia is still

bothering him, and with the new laws giving more chances to a nippy half-back he should give Wanganui some big worries.

The Boyce twins, Jim and Stewart, will make Rugby history. It will be the first time twins have played together for their country. Both have impressive Rugby records but Stewart has been kept out of tours by medical studies. Stewart will play on the wing and Jim at centre.

The other wing, new to Wallaby status, will be hard tackling, 20-year-old D. Grimmond.

Wanganui’s record over the last decade is not an impressive one, although it often plays to the big occa-

sion. Wanganui has not beaten on Australian touring team since 1913. Victories over Horowhenua and Manawatu are the only wins to its credit this season, although stocks soared with the thrilling draw in last Saturday's Ranfurly Shield game against Taranaki. Wanganui’s main hope will be the left-wing. C. L. Pierce, who scored all 15 Wanganui points last Saturday and came within three feet of giving Wanganui the shield with a difficult kick right on fulltime which drifted just outside the upright.

Ground Is Firm Four of Wanganui’s side— Pierce. C. W. McPhee, J. P. Cooney, and L. J. Meads — were in the team which met the 1962 Australian tourists. Brief showers amid bright spells did little damage to the firm surface of Spriggens Park last night and today, and counting out any heavy rain overnight or in the morning, tomorrow should see the Australians start with a comfortable win. Teams:—

Australia.—T. Casey: S. Boyce, J. Boyce. D. Grimmond; P. Hawthorne or R Trivett. R Honan; K. Catchpole; D. O'Neill; .1. Guerassimoff. R. Hemlng. P. Crittle. E. Heinrich: J. Thornnett (captain). P. Johnson. J. White.

Wanganui.—P. J. McDonald C. L. Pierce, L. J. Meads, B Delves; A. Pickard, P. T. McAndrew (Captain): C. W. Me Phree: A. T. Firmin; W. Tunnell C. J. Rodgers. L. M. Condon W. J. Caldwell; J. P. Cooney O. J. Perry, A. B. Dempsey.