Forwards Have Vital Role

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31765, 23 August 1968, Page 15

Forwards Have Vital Role

Heartened by the improved showing of the forwards in the game against Waikato, the Canterbury Rugby team will go into the match against Auckland tomorrow with renewed confidence.

And the performance of the forwards will be of vital importance to Canterbury at Eden Park.

Provided they can move quickly, together, to the loose ball, they will give their backs match-winning opportunities in secondary play. At the same time they will deny the swift and clever Auckland backs the chances so vital tp Auckland’s pattern of play. Auckland might have the more spectacular backs, but if the Canterbury forwards can gain the upper hand the competence of the Canterburybacks could carry the day. W. D. Cottrell, at second five-eighths, will be a potent attacking force, and W. F. McCormick’s return to form

as a goal-kicker poses an added threat to Auckland. Canterbury has chosen P. K. Hatchwell for the team and it seems likely that he will be fit enough to take his place on the wing. Hatchwell injured a shoulder five minutes from the end of the Waikato match, but an X-ray-examination did not reveal any serious damage. L. J. Davis, the first-string half-back, has been having treatment for a similar complaint and will take his place in the team tomorrow. R. F. Cocks and K. J. Tanner have also been brought into the side: C. F. Cochrane is now the only player who has .yet to play a match on the tour. The Canterbury team is:—

McCormick: Cocks, H. J. Joseph, Hatchwell; Cottrell, B. A. Watt: Davis; I. H. Penrose 'captain); I. A. Kirkpatrick, J. IF. Burns, M. R. Perkins. A. J. Wyllie; Tanner. J. N. Creighton, A. E.- Hopkinson.