No, The Lions Don’t Want A N.Z. Coach

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31115, 19 July 1966, Page 19

No, The Lions Don’t Want A N.Z. Coach

(From I. J. D. HALL)

WESTPORT.

A firm but smiling denial was given by the manager of the British Isles Rugby team (Mr D. J. O’Brien) last evening when asked if the Lions had thought of asking for the services of a New Zealand coach.

Mr O’Brien said he knew that suggestions had been made, but there was no possibility at all that the Lions would make such a request.

One of the major talking points on the Lions tour has been the fact that with all their great individual ability they do not seem, at this stage of the tour, anyway, to be able to mould into a cohesive unit on the field. To overcome this many Rugby followers have suggested a simple remedy—an experienced New Zealand coach. In many ways even the suggestion is an insult to the Rugby ability of the Lions. It is obvious that this team has not achieved the standard hoped for, but whatever happens it would prefer to stand or fall by its own methods. British’lsles have produced

some of the most memorable moments in New Zealand Rugby. In spite of losing the first test, this team still has the potential to show its ability. There is a parallel case of a touring team being offered the services of a coach when it was having serious Rugby problems. That was in 1949 when Dr. D. H. Craven was brought in to assist the All Blacks in South Africa. The result? The All Blacks lost all four tests. Six From Test Six of the test team that lost so convincingly to New Zealand on Saturday—Camp-bell-Lamerton, Price, Williams. Kennedy, Lamont and i Gibson—have been chosen in

the Lions team to play West Coast-Buller at Westport on Wednesday. Injuries past and present have had some influence on selection.

The Welsh wing, S. J. Watkins, finally has the opportunity to play his first game in New Zealand and by the way he ran at practice he may have overcome his leg injury, which first appeared at Invercargill. Prothero will have his first game since the Universities match and the injury to the lock, D. Thomas, meant that Campbell-Lamerton and Price will again join the fray with the Irish lock, Mcßride, being placed at No. 8. The team is:— D. Rutherford; Stewart Watkins, M. P. Weston, B. Bresnthan. K. F. Savage: C. M. H. Gibson, A. R. Lewis; W. J. Mcßride; R. A. Lamont G. J. Prothero, M. J. CampbellLamerton (captain), B. E. V. Price; D. L. Powell, K. W. Kennedy, D. Williams.