Aust. Selectors Going For Height, Strength

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31678, 14 May 1968, Page 19

Aust. Selectors Going For Height, Strength

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

SYDNEY.

With the formidable proportions of New Zealand’s forwards fixed in their minds, the New South Wales Rugby selectors have gambled heavily on size for next Saturday’s match against Queensland, the “Sun” Rugby writer, Norman Tasker, said yesterday.

Tasker wrote: “The N.S.W. selectors plucked a couple of players ‘out of the blue’ last night when they named the team to visit Brisbane.”

The match will provide a final dress rehearsal for the internationals this season, with the New Zealand team due in Sydney on Saturday. “The selectors obviously are determined to provide height and weight in their forwards against the All Blacks even if. in some cases, it means sacrificing ability," Tasker wrote.

One Problem—Too Short

“On this score, they dispensed with the services of the Northern Suburbs (Sydney) breakaway, Russ Tulloch, whose consistently good foot'ball this season was topped by a grand showing in Sydney's 28-3 win against Coun try yesterday. 'Tulloch’s only problem Is that he is short

“And, principally on the score of their size. Country's second-rower Owen Butler and lock Dick Cocks have won selection.

“Butler is 6ft 3in and more than 15st: Cocks is 6ft lin and also 15st.

“There is plenty of good thinking in having four six-

foot plus men among the five back-row and second-row forwards.

“But Sydney, nevertheless, gave Country a neat hiding in the forwards yesterday, and the selection of four country men in the state pack is something of a plunge,” Tasker said.

“Butler won a place in the Country team last year and was a reserve for the interstate game at the end of the season.

“He has extremely limited experience in Rugby, having played only a couple of seasons since abandoning basketball, at which he was particularly proficient. Reputation In Country

“Cocks is a raw-boned lock with plenty of fire who looks like developing into a firstclass player. He is winning a growing reputation in the Country,” Tasker said. There are no surprises in the N.S.W. back-line. A. Cardy, P. Smith and J. Brass were in top form on Sunday, and were instrumental in Sydney’s defeat of Country. Cardy again proved himself to be Australia’s finest wing, with two tries and several near misses.

The half-back, K. Catchpole, gave his usual immaculate service from scrums, rucks and line-outs, and the Sydney backs scored five grand tries.

The N.S.W. team is:—

A. McGill, R. How, P. Smith, J. Brcss, A. Cardy. J. Ballesty, K. Catchpole (captain), Ji. Rose, G. Davis, R. Cocks, A. Abrahams, O. Butler, R. Prosser, P. Johnson, R. Turnbull. Reserves: J. Hipwell, I. Proctor, A. Gelling, J. Roxburgh.