Pack Must Win Rucks To Beat T. Valley

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30543, 11 September 1964, Page 13

Pack Must Win Rucks To Beat T. Valley

Thames X alley will not present Canterbury’ with an easy opportunity to redeem its indifferent display against Hawke’s Bay last Saturday. Alread ythis season Thames Valley has beaten King Country and Bay of Plenty, a team that beat Taranaki, and has drawn with Otago.

Tomorrow’s match will be only the second time that Thames Valley has played at Lancaster Park. In 1955 it challenged for the Ranfurly Shield and lost, 11-24.

Thames Valley plays typical North Island Rugby—a bustling game in which speed to the loose ball is of paramount importance. It was this type of game which so confounded Canterbury against Hawke’s Bay. The Thames Valley team contains only one All Black, K. E. Barry, but most of the other forwards are experienced provincial players. It does not have a particularly heavy pack but it is mobile and is efficient in the lineouts.

The best known of the backs are T. E. Shaw, a sound full-back: R. J. Wells, a powerful wing, and the Maori All Black, T. M. Reedy, who plays at centre.

There is no doubt that it will be a determined Canterbury team that takes the field tomorrow. A good win, achieved in an attractive manner, will be needed to

assuage the defeat by Hawke's Bay. The return of B. A. Watt and the selection of W. F. McCormick as centre will give the backs more solidarity. N. G. Cornelius and R. Wainohu will add the strength to the pack and give it more speed. A Tired Team

A vigorous effort will be needed from the forwards if Thames Valley is to be beaten and it will be vital this time that Canterbury wins its share of rucks, both on attack and defence.

One factor that will be in Canterbury’s favour is that Thames Valley may be a very tired team when it arrives in Christchurch today. Its short tour, includes four games in seven days and the Canterbury match will be the third it will have played in five days.

T. J. Morris Leaving

The University B full-back, T. J. Morris, will play his Rugby in Auckland next year. A fine arts student, Morris will attend the Auckland Training College. Morris, who was considered unlucky to miss being chosen for the New Zealand colts team that toured Australia earlier this season, has been overshadowed in Canterbury by W. F. McCormick and D. C. Leary. However, he is a player of great potential and the more open style of Rugby in Auckland should suit his attacking talents.