Three Young Players Have Heavy Burden

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30760, 26 May 1965, Page 15

Three Young Players Have Heavy Burden

TN 1963 Canterbury with - 1 only two players who had then played for New Zealand, went to Auckland as the leading Rugby League province In the country. Eighty minutes of stout defence and a lastminute try by C. C. Preece enabled Canterbury to draw, 10-10, and return with the Northern Union Cup. Next Saturday Canterbury will have two Kiwis in Auckland: ironically, it will take the field as the rank outsider. On present form, Canterbury has poor prospects against both Auckland and Waikato, which has become a great threat to Auckland under the top-graded coach in New Zealand, Mr W. L. O’Callaghan. Although it is capable of fielding 13 Kiwis with many others to act as reserves, Auckland is not unbeatable and the Canterbury players must have that thought firmly fixed in their minds. It is likely that Canterbury will depend more on its three most promising players, R. 0. Moffat, R. S. J. Irvine and J. L. White, than on its established internationals. Moffat is a fine attacking wing with a happy knack of scoring tries. He has plenty of speed and when the corner flag is in sight there are few more determined wings in the country. There are some rough edges to his play—a tendency to come off his wing to tackle the

centre perhaps the worst of them —but more representative football will help him to iron out his faults. Apparently the only forward who has read his coaching manual on how to

tackle, White is quickly fitting into the role vacated by M. L. Cooke. Experience in the backs has proved useful to White. He is not afraid to run hard with a view to drawing the opposition and sending the ball on. With the three national selectors present at the match, Irvine could stake his claims for a place in the touring team with his tenacious attacking and defending. He will be the pivot of Canterbury’s attack. At present it appears that Canterbury will be relying on these young players to a great extent. But it would be heartening to see the forwards buckle down to their task.