Puget Surprise Choice As French Pack Leader

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31729, 12 July 1968, Page 13

Puget Surprise Choice As French Pack Leader

(By

J. K. BROOKS)

M. Puget, the sharp-featured, fast-talking French half-back, has been given command of his team’s forwards in the first test against New Zealand at Lancaster Park tomorrow. The acting manager of the tourists, Mr A. Garrigue, announced this surprising choice vesterdav.

Puget had previously been named as vice-captain of the test team; the captain, C. Lacaze, will be playing outside him, at fly-half. An intense little man with a sharp tongue, Puget probably will prove to be more effective in keeping the pack to its task than any of the forwards.

The lock, B, Dauga, was vice-captain in the Blenheim match, but appeared to be able to rally his forwards only in fits and starts.

Mr Garrigue discounted a suggestion that the French back-line had been chosen in the expectation of a dry ground tomorrow. The criterion for selection had been current form, he said. “This is the best team we can field at the present time,” he added, when told that the All Black lock, C. E. Meads, had been surprised at the omission of the lock, A. Plantefol. Mr Garrigue indicated that Plantefol and the prop, M. Lasserre, another surprise omission, could be strong candidates for the second and third test sides, but reiterated that the team for tomorrow was the best on prevailing form and fitness.

Of the Injured players, Mr Garrigue said that J. P. Noble had only soreness in his calf and would be available for next Wednesday’s match against Taranaki, while P. Besson would be available next Saturday, for the match with Hawke’s Bay. The captain, C. Carrere, had an X-ray of his injured ankle

taken yesterday, and the plate confirmed that there was no Crack in the bone. But he will not be able to play for a week.

Mr Garrigue adopted a philosophical attitude to the prospect of a heavy ground for the test match.

“It will be heavy for both teams,” he said. "This, of course, could have a bearing on the type of game played.” The French team trained yesterday at Lancaster Park and considerable attention was paid to short passing bursts by the forwards. Mr Garrigue expressed himself at being fairly satisfied with the team’s performance at training. “No coach, of course, would be completely satisfied,” he added.

The full-back, P. Villepreux, showed better form at goalkicking yesterday; he will be France’s kicker in the test. Mr Garrigue said it was unlikely that Lacaze would take any kicks at goal.

Although he had been invited by the coach of the New Zealand side (Mr F. R. Allen) to watch the All Blacks training, Mr Garrigue did not take up the offer. It was annoying for one coach to have his rival present at a practice session, even though there was no suggestion of spying, he said.

‘ln any case, I am interested most in how the All Blacks build up their condition, rather than their technique.” Mr Garrigue admitted that the French team had a plan for the test—"but I do not know if the All Blacks will conform to it.”

He did not attempt to forecast the result.

He parried his questioners by quipping: “If you win the toss, you have won something.”

A sharp 90-minute practice at the Ham ground yesterday confirmed that the All Blacks are in fine fettle. The team started its training with its relay running and then played soccer with a Rugby ball; C. E. Meads and C. R. Laidlaw showed great keenness in this activity. The forwards then concentrated on line-out practice under one of the national selectors, Mr I. M. H. Vodanovich, while Mr F. R. Allen directed the backs. Then both units joined forces for an hour’s session, in which the backs moved speedily after quick heels by the forwards. One of the reserve backs, W. D. Cottrell, substituted for the injured A. G. Steel on the left-wing in the middle stages of the practice.