Lions Have Backs To Win Again

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31077, 4 June 1966, Page 19

Lions Have Backs To Win Again

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.AJ

BRISBANE.

Neither Australia nor the British Lions appeared to be brimming over with confidence about the outcome of the second and final test at Sydney today, but the Lions, with their win in the first test behind them, will start favourites.

The first test could have gone either wayhut the Lions won because they made better use of their opportunities.

There is little between the teams and whichever way the game goes today, it is certain to be a hard-fought encounter.

A win by Australia would not only tie the series but would a’so be a prestigebuilder for the Wallaby tour of the British Isles and France at the end of the season. Forward Control Almost certainly the match will be controlled by the forwards. although there was a surprising amount of back play in the Sydney test. Since the early days of the tour there has been a marked improvement in the standard of the Lions forward play Although it still has some way to go before they will

be able to feel confident about facing an All Black pack it is now on a par with that of the Wallabies. Where the Lions could have' an advantage this time is in the Mobility of the forwards. Great emphasis has been laid on this in recent training sessions and if the players can put into practice the techniques of the training field, it will be to the team’s benefit today. Guerassimoff Playing

At Sydney the Australian loose forwards—J. Guerassimoff, G. Davis and D. Shepherd—were a more effective destructive force than their opposite numbers. On the other hand, they were not as adept as the Lions loose forwards in initiating play. In this department the tourists’ number eight, A. E. I. Pask, was outstanding. There was some doubt whether Guerassimoff would be able to play because of a gash on the hand he suffered while playing for Queensland,

but a medical inspection yesterday afternoon cleared him. Guerassimoff will play with the five stitches inserted after Tuesday’s match still in his band. The Lions look to have a decided advantage in the backline, and the three-quarters have ability backed by experience. The Australian line has great potential but little experience, apart from K. Catchpole and P. Hawthorne, who between them have played 32 tests.

The rest of the line, including the full-back, P. Ryan, have played in a total of six internationals. The wings, G. Ruebner and A. Cardy, and the centre, R. Trivett, played in their first test at Sydney, while the outside centre, J. Brass, makes his debut today. If the Lions forwards can win at least a half share of possession an<j the ball can then be sent quickly to their three-quarters, the match could develop into a thriller.

With the steadiness of M. P. Weston as a foil to the brilliance of D. K. Jones in the centre, and the speed of the wingers, D. 1. Bebb and S. J. Watkins, the Lions line has a look of class about it. For a variety of reasons, notably poor handling, the best has not yet been seen of the Lions backs. There was the continuing problem of a reliable half-back combination but this now seems largely to have resolved itself with the scrum-half, R. M. Young, and D, Watkins settling down well.

There is not a reliable kicker on either side, and S. Wilson (Lions) and Ruebner will share the roles today.

Last In Australia

This is the final match in Australia for the Lions. So far they have played seven, for six wins and a draw. They have scored 33 tries, 21 conversions, eight penalty goals and two dropped goals, for a total of 171 points. Opposition teams have scored five tries, three conversions, six penalty goals and three dropped goals, for 48 points.

British Isles.— S. Wilson: D. I. Bebb, M. P. Weston, D. K. Jones, S. J. Watkins; D. Watkins, B. M. Young; A. E. I. Pask. N. A. A. Murphy, B. Price, M. J. Campbell-Lamerton (captain), J. W. Telfer; R. J. McLoughlin, K. W. Kennedy, D. Williams.

Australia.— P. Ryan; G. Reubner. J. Brass, R. Trivett, A. Cardy; P. Hawthorne, K. Catchpole; D. Shepherd; G. Davis, R. Hemming, C. P. Crittle, J. Guerassimoff; A. R. Miller, P. Johnson, J. E. Thornett (captain).