CLARKE, BOND MAY WIN LEAGUE SELECTION

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31645, 3 April 1968, Page 13

CLARKE, BOND MAY WIN LEAGUE SELECTION

rpHE lack of form shown by x several members of the New Zealand Rugby League team last season, the withdrawal of R. S. J. Irvine (Marist), and the nonavailability of J. M. Bray (Hornby), will give the former Canterbury Kiwis, G. H. Clarke (Papanui) and J. A. Bond (Papanui), an excellent chance of regaining test honours.

Clarke and Bond are listed among 14 . players who specialise in one or other half-back position in the world championship training squad of 80 players. Apart from Bond, only the three 1967 Kiwis, R. L. Carey (Auckland), R. B. Tait (Waikato) and J. D. Ellwood (Auckland), and the promising M. Waikai (Waikato) are included on the training list at stand-off half. The scrum-halves include E. Carson (Auckland), P. J. Schultz (Auckland), G. S. Brown (Auckland), N. Kelly (West Coast), W. J. Godfrey (Canterbury), B. Sweetman

(West Coast), W. Harford (Auckland) and G. J. Woollard (now in Auckland) in addition to Clarke. Schultz, Woollard and Clarke could have claims as stand-off halves. Ellwood and Tait were the touring full-backs in Australia last season but each had a test at stand-off half. However, neither matched the penetration of Irvine at any stage of the tour although Tait scored all New Zealand’s points in its 9-13 third test loss. Carey did not come up to international status and played only in the minor matches and Bond’s greatest competitor could be Waikai, who gained Northern Zone selection ahead of his more highly-regarded rivals.

Although Bond has not played for the Kiwis since he was replaced by Bray before the second test against

France in 1964, he appears to have retained much of the dash that won him selection for 12 successive tests and two overseas tours from 1961.

Bond’s chances would be further enhanced by his knowledge of his club-mate, Clarke’s play, and his ability to find gaps close to the scrum. Throughout his career Bond has shown a tendency to lose his centres by ducking back towards the forwards but the

national selectors could find this a blessing in disguise for the speedy Kiwi loose forwards, J. K. Dixon (West Coast), H. R. Sinel (Auckland) and A. P. Kriletich (Auckland) could capitalise on any break made by Bond.

Of the scrum-halves Carson, Harford, Keily, Sweetman and Godfrey have been on the provincial scene for some seasons without appearing to threaten the current Kiwi scrum-halves of the time and Clarke’s greatest challengers will be the three players with international experience. A fine utility player, Schultz played in the second test last season and he and Woollard were strong rivals to play inside Irvine in the third test until injuries nullified their claims. Brown showed his potential only rarely on tour because of recurring injuries but only he could match Irvine in the 40-yard training sprints and he is highly regarded in Auckland. However, a repetition of the 1966 form that earned him a test cap as a replacement against the British

tourists should enable Clarke to match the challenges from the other candidates. Only an injury last season appeared to cost him a tour of Australia, where his presence could have eased the burden imposed on Irvine and given the Kiwis greater tryscoring potential.