Auckland Offers Stout Opposition

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30841, 28 August 1965, Page 13

Auckland Offers Stout Opposition

A Canterbury’ Rugby victory against Auckland could have been predicted with confidence a month ago, when Auckland was nearing the end of a black six-week period in which it lost five matches in succession.

This month, however, the Auckland side has shown that its confidence is restored and the problems of staleness overcome. Its win against South Africa, in particular, indicates that Canterbury’s task at Lancaster Park today will be a difficult one.

The composition of the visiting side suggests an approach similar to that of the last Auckland term to visit Christchurch two years ago—mobile forward play and ouick switches of play by' fleet-footed backs. This style! of play led to the comprehen-’ sire defeat of CanterburyBut last year, in a game: o f considerable movement at Eden Park. Canterbury • showed that it could match Auckland in the free-running game and deservedly won a match in which 43 points’ were scored. 1 has been a season of; rain and mud and victory today could go to the side that j adopts the most commonsense approach to the conditions. Lancaster Park has presented a better playing surface than most fields this year but in spite of -esterday’s respite the ground is likely to be slipper;.’ and the 1 ball might be difficult to; handle. Solid Front Canterbury, with D. J. Gra- - ham back as leader, will pre sent a solid front in the for wards. But its efforts to drive! through with the ball will meet with stout resistance from an Auckland pack containing such . experienced campaigners as I W J Whineray. B T Thomas; and D. G Harker The presence of K. A. Kelson and R. H Gra ham towards tfie end of the line i out could mean that the role <J . the Canterbury forwards could j. be more defensive than often alve

The Auckland back-line lacks nothing in the way of reputation but it is unlikely to get the better of the Canterbury rear guard, which is achieving a worth while combination. W. M B:rtwtstle. who has scored half of Canterbury’s tries this season, might not be in the plav as much as usual, but D A. Arnold could be in the position to make a notable contribution to the fortunes of bis team. - n D ' ck an a ߣressive wing w II be a dangerous attacker but Canterbury will have to P-ay particularly close heed to the strength of its defences whenever D. M. Connor and P It Murdoch are given service from rucks and mauls

. The teams are: AUCKLAND: W. A. Davies: [M. J. Dick, T. W. M. Tataurangi ID W. McKay: J, C. Brady, P. H 'Murdoch; D. M. Connor’ L. W • Fell: R H. Graham (captain). |M. I. J. Jakich. D. G. Harker , K A. Nelson: W. J. Whineray. K. J. OShannessy, B. T. Thoma’s CANTERBURY: W. F. Me Cormick: A. J. Steel. D. A ’Arnold. W. M. Birtwistle: R. C. iMoreton. B A. Watt: L. J. Davis: jD. J. Graham (captain): A . Wyllie. M J. Millar. M. R. Dunne N. G. Cornelius: A. J. Hopkin l son, J. N. Creighton, E. Veal.