N.Z. TO FIELD STRONG PACK AGAINST LIONS

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31077, 4 June 1966, Page 15

N.Z. TO FIELD STRONG PACK AGAINST LIONS

A DISAPPOINTING final ' trial which produced some anonymous Rugby from the New Zealand fifteen can be ignored when assessing the strength of the possible test team against the Lions, which is unlikely to have many changes from the side that played the Rest at Athletic Park. The New Zealand fifteen pack had been in two hard games in the previous four days and even some of the most experienced and durable of the pack confessed that they were very tired after the final trial. There is no doubt that the All Blacks will field a formidable pack in the test series. The Meads brothers, Gray, Lochore and Tremain need little description: Nathan is playing almost like the Nathan of a few years ago, McLeod is an aggressive forward and a swift striker as hooker.

The only position in doubt is that of prop. After the North-South game, P. Scott, a hefty 25-year-old from Bay of Plenty, seemed to be the favoured candidate to replace W. J. Whineray, but it is possible that the selectors may not be entirely convinced about his ability. Scott weighs 17st 21b but he could and should shed a few

pounds before he becomes truly fit. It has yet to be proved, too, that he is rugged enough for test Rugby. His closest competitor at present might be the Canterbury player, A. J. Hopkinson, who had two very good games in the inter-island match and the final trial The next closest would be J. E. Hazlett (Southland), K. F. Barry (Thames Valley) and B. Thomas (Auckland). All are experienced and tough props and the one who shows the best form at the right time might gain selection.

Even if some of the certain test players are injured there is still plenty of talent to choose from. M. Maniapoto and R. Meadows are strong locks; R. J. Conway is playing extremely well and other loose forwards of ability are D. W. Clark (Otago), L. A. Scherp and M. Wills. J. Major, if perhaps not as quick a striker as McLeod, is an admirable second string for the hooking position.

The positions in the backs are more open than in the forwards. Laidlaw has no peer as a half-back but of the others S. Going, B. A. Coulter, L. J. Davis and the

newcomer, B. F. Elder, seem to be of a par. M. A. Herewini’s sound play in the trials established him as favourite for the troublesome position of first five-eighths. If for any reason, Herewini was not available, B. A. Watt would be first choice. Watt’s cool and clever play stamped him as a better prospect than either E. W. Kirton or P. H. Murdoch. It has been many years since New Zealand has been able to field a player as physically strong as I. R. Macrae at second fiveeighths, and he seems to have a mortgage on that position. D. A. Arnold must now be back in favour as a mid-field back, and the 20-year-old Wellington player, G. F. Kember, did enough in the inter-island match and the final trial to suggest he will not have to wait many seasons before playing for New Zealand.

The wing three-quarters situation is healthy, with M. J. Dick, I. S. T. Smith, W. M. Birtwistle, D. R. Panther, P. J. Myers and A. G. Steel all possessing speed and attacking skills. Taking M. W. Williment’s selection for the New Zealand fifteen as a guide, it appears that Williment must

be favoured to play in the first test at least. On pure full-back play there is little between the two, but Willim ent’s longer goal-kicking gives him a slight advantage. The most encouraging feature of the five games played in the trials was the good standard of back play. Backs seemed far more purposeful, and the fault of the forward play, a tendency towards looseness in the lineouts and rucks, is something that can quickly be remedied by the All Black selectors once they have their chosen team under their charge.