Cottrell In Test

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31750, 6 August 1968, Page 19

Cottrell In Test

Fate has taken a hand in the composition of the All Black team for the third test against France, at Eden Park, Auckland, on Saturday. W. D. Cottrell (Canterbury) and O. G. Stephens (Wellington) were brought into the team yesterday to replace the injured Hawke’s Bay players, I. R. Macßae and W. L. Davis.

Cottrell will replace MacRae at second five-eighths, and G. S. Thorne (Auckland) has been switched from right wing to centre, to fill Davis's place. Stephens, a new cap. becomes the right-wing. Macßae suffered a back injury in the Ranfurly Shield game against Poverty Bay on Saturday, and he withdrew from the New Zealand team after a medical examination yesterday. Good Pairing

The return of Cottrell and the placing of Thorne, at centre should give muchneeded thrust to the All Black back-line, and Stephens, a fast and aggressive wing, should not want for opportunities. Cottrell and Thorne were New Zealand's best attacking backs at Wellington, but it appeared that the All Blacks would have achieved more had the two men been played together in midfield. Now fate has brought them together for the third test and New Zealand should be able to face the French centres with confidence.

Twenty-first Wing Stephens, the twenty-first wing chosen by New Zealand in the last 10 years, began his first-class career in 1966, when he represented Bay of Plenty, and gained selection for the New Zealand Juniors against the British Isles. He is in his second season as a Wellington representative, and played particularly well in the game against Canterbury at Lancaster Park last month. As well as being a strong

attacking wing, Stephens also excels on cover defence. An indication of his promotion to the New Zealand side was given when he was named as a reserve for the second test team.

D. R. Panther, the North Auckland wing, has been brought into the reserves for Saturday’s test.