HOOKING DUEL MAY DECIDE FINAL

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31784, 14 September 1968, Page 15

HOOKING DUEL MAY DECIDE FINAL

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND. Given a dominant share of possession in today’s Rothmans national Rugby league final, Wellington may well shock confident Auckland at Carlaw Park.

Although the odds against Wellington winning the 1968 title are long, with a hooker of the calibre of C. E. O’Neil, Wellington might easily starve the Auckland back-line.

O’Neil has been ranked as the best of the present international hookers and the task facing the new Auckland rake, M. G. Dines, is an arduous one. The Wellington backs, given a greater share of the ball, must be considered very dangerous. In fielding a solid, rather than a fleet-footed back-line, the Auckland selectors have shown that they are anticipating their backs to do more tackling than attacking. Dines's selection marks a startling rise to prominence. Last season he was a thirdgrader. Stringent transfer rules had Dines on the sideline early this winter when he changed from Richmond to Ponsonby. However, it took only a few exhibitions in the Ponsonby reserve team to earn him a place in the premiers. Then, in the vital major

championship semi-final with Glenora, Dines proved his worth by outstriking the former Kiwi rake, L. S. Morgan, 20-14.

The 22-year-old salesman comfortably won the duel for possession with the muchrespected Mount Albert hooker, J. Manson, in last week-end’s final. He was, therefore, no shock inclusion in the representative side. The clash of powerful front rows is likely to be a feature of the game. On one side will be the 16st Aucklanders, R. I. Orchard and A. Wiggs, and on the other Wellington’s big men, N. P. Beri and R. Paul. However, the man who may do most damage to the Wellington challenge is M. J. McClennan.

This slashing full-back has played so brilliantly in recent weeks he is seen as a likely 1969 world championship Kiwi. The possibility of Auckland not winning as much ball as

it would like, and the prospect of Carlaw Park being slow and slushy, point toward a change from the high-scoring finals of past years. Auckland has won the previous three nationals finals (all against Wellington), 11-4, 37-21 and 39-13. Teams are: Auckland.—M. J. McClennan; R. A. Mincham, R. W. Bailey. J. D. Ellwood. J. £. Sparnon; R. L. Carey, E. M. Carson; A. Wiggs, M. G. Dines, R. I. Orchard; R. Williams, A. P. Krlletich, H. R. Sincl.

Wellington.—P. Simmonds; L Smith, N. Adams. S. Rolleston G. Daveson; C. Tarawhlti, F Rasmussen; N. P. Beri; C. E O'Neil, R. Paul; T. Callagh, J H. Weir; J. Rasmussen.