All Blacks Named

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31725, 8 July 1968, Page 14

All Blacks Named

Three changes, no surprises, five Canterbury players included, with a sixth in the reserves —the selection of the All Black team for the first test against France at Lancaster Park next Saturday has followed a fairly predictable course.

I. R. Macßae (Hawke’s Bay), who was not available for the recent tour of Australia, has been included at second fiveeighths at the expense of W. D. Cottrell (Canterbury). In view of Cottrell’s splendid display against Wellington on Saturday, this might not be a permanent appointment. Cottrell has been retained in the reserves.

Of the three experienced forwards who missed the second test in Australia because of injury, B. J. Lochore and K. F. Gray are still not ready to resume, but K. R. Tremain (Hawke’s Bay), restored to fitness, has been brought back as a flanker. His presence will give greater solidity to the forwards. Two of the younger forwards on the Australian tour, G. C. Williams (Wellington) and A. J. Kreft (Otago) have been omitted, and the burly B. L. Mpller (Taranaki) returns to the front row. Although Lochore and Gray will! be missed, New Zealand will still have a formidable pack. C. R. Laidlaw (Canterbury) has not played since he returned from Australia, but the selectors have retained him in the important half-back position ahead of his ebullient rival, S. M. Going (North Auckland). Laidlaw’s partner, E. W. Kirton, received a bruised hip while playing for Otago against France on Saturday, but he is expected to be moving freely by the time of the test. The team Is:—

W. F. McCormick (Canterbury); A. G. Steel (Canterbury), W. L. Davis (Hawke's Bay), G. S. Thorne (Auckland); Macßae, Kirton; Laidlaw; I. A. Kirkpatrick (Canterbury); Tre-

main, C. E. Meads (King Country), S. C. Strahan (Manawatu), T. N. Lister (South Canterbury); Muller, B. E. McLeod (Counties), A. E. Hopklnson (Canterbury). Reserves. Backs: Cottrell, Going. Forwards: A. R. Sutherland (Marlborough), T. N. McCashin (Horowhenua).