Hatchwell On Left Wing

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31772, 31 August 1968, Page 15

Hatchwell On Left Wing

The Canterbury player, P. K. Hatchwell, will be on the left wing for the South Island against the North Island today.

The two wings chosen, Hatchwell and J. W. Greenslade, are right wings, as is the reserve, N. M. Avery. However, in the practice at Lancaster Park yesterday. Hatchwell was placed on the left wing—for the first time in his life, he said.

Judging by the line-out formations yesterday the South's hopes for possession will be pinned on A. E. Hopkinson and J. F. Burns in the front and I. A Kirkpatrick and A. R. Sutherland at the back. Burns, the line-out specialist in the side, was usually at No. 3, although he sometimes changed with Hopkinson at two. When the ball was being thrown deep, Sutherland moved from five back to six, in front of Kirkpatrick. The North team practised for more than an hour at Rugby Park and once warmed up was put through a series of brisk set play movements by the manager (I. M. H.

Vodanovich). There was a lot of emphasis on short passing rushes by the forwards. K. T. Going (North Auckland) with the aid of an easterly wind, succeeded with several long place kicks from near half-way. and B. J. Lochore finished his practice with a nonchalant left-foot dropkick from 40 yards which hit the upright half way up.