LAST HOPE FOR AUST.

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30531, 28 August 1964, Page 13

LAST HOPE FOR AUST.

Team Looks Stronger

The Australian Rugby team will be a little like Custer as it makes its last stand at Athletic Park, Wellington, tomorrow. It does not appear to have sufficient armour to shield it from an All Black team in full cry but there is sufficient courage and skill at its command to make this last encounter of its short tour memorable. The shaky victory against Bush on Tuesday—which brought the team’s record to three wins and four losses — was not a happy augury for Australia for the third test. But the side could well emulate the Australian Universities team which visited New Zealand earlier this year. Beaten in all but one of its games and being outscored, 65-18, over the first two “tests,” the team went out in a blaze, of glory by very nearly heading New Zealand Universities in an entertaining final match. Australia has the attributes necessary to give a good account of itself at Wellington. Its match-hardened forwards won more ball than New Zealand in the second test at Christchurch and the inclusion of . the Victorian, D. Shepherd, will give added mobility to the forwards, on the evidence of his game at Ashburton. B. J. Ellwood’s return to the side as centre is another good sign for Australia. Provided his recently injured leg stands up to the strain, Ellwood should exercise an authority in midfield which R. E., Honan, for all his dash, was unable to achieve at Christchurch. The All Blacks, with their good win at Christchurch to give them confidence, have nothing to lose by placing the emphasis on enterprise once again.

Wainohu Is Selected

The Canterbury Rugby team to play South Canterbury at Lancaster Park on Saturday contains no surprises, and only one player who did not take part in the North Island tour. He is R. M. Wainohu, the Christchurch and Maori No. 8; who was not available for the trip. The team is: W. F. McCormick; W. M. Birtwistle, P. A. Hutchinson, R. Morris; B. A. Watt, W. Cottrell; L. J. Davis; R. M. Wainohu; I. H. Penrose, J. F. Burns, J. A. Francis, N. G. Cornelius; C. R. Hockley (captain), J. N. Creighton, J. M. Le Lievre. Reserves. —Backs: D. C. Leary, W. J. Thompson. Forwards: E. Veal, D. S. Pirie, A. Wyllie and A. J. Hopkinson.