Watkins No. 7 For Lions

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31124, 29 July 1966, Page 15

Watkins No. 7 For Lions

(From

I. J. D. HALL)

AUCKLAND. The captaincy of the 1966 Lions teams moves in mysterious ways. Yesterday the Welsh fly-half, D. Watkins, was named to lead the team to play Auckland tomorrow.

He is the seventh captain appointed in the 14 games so far played in New Zealand, if R. McLoughlin, who was to have been captain last Wednesday, before he withdrew because of injury, is included. Watkins has captained Newport for three seasons but there has been nothing in his play on this tour to suggest that he is the man to inspire the Lions to produce the Rugby for which large crowds have been waiting in vain.

I N. A. A. Murphy has taken 'over as pack leader and his forthright demands might evoke some response from his fellow forwards.

The touring captain, M. J. Campbell-Lamerton, again was not available because of injury, and because be has not played in the last three matches his test place might be in jeopardy. Apart from the choice of Watkins as captain, the Lions team has some very interesting points. Jones Replaced F. P. K. Bresnihan, an unassuming player who manages to do most of the things expected from an International centre pass properly, handle well, and tackle soundly—has finally got a Saturday match, and at the expense of D. K. Jones, the rather wayward but very brilliant Welsh centre. He teams with C. W. McFadyean, who is making light of his broken nose suffered in the Canterbury game. The return of McLoughlin to the front row will be welcomed by the Lions. He is an experienced campaigner there and, also he may be a pacifist influence on C. H. Norris, who has been inclined to provoke trouble in the set scrums. The Lions had a strenuous training run at Eden Park yesterday afternoon. The coach, Mr J. D. Robins, was far more vocal than usual and he constantly exhorted his players to move faster and be more decisive in what they were doing. It was one of the few times on tour that Mr Robins has been prepared to emphasise his feelings in public. Not that the public was greatly In attendance.

The match for Saturday has been sold out but at Eden Park yesterday there were only about 40 people to watch the Lions train. S. Wilson; A. J. w. Hlnshelwood. F. P. K. Bresnihan, C, W. McFadvean, D. I. E. Bebb: D. Watkins (captain); R. M. Young; R. A. Lamont; G. J. Prothero, W. J. Mcßride. W. D. Thomas. N. A. A. Murphy: C. H. Norris. F. A. L. Laidlaw, R. J. MeLoughlan.