Canterbury Trial SEARCH FOR RIGHT-WING

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32005, 4 June 1969, Page 15

Canterbury Trial SEARCH FOR RIGHT-WING

(By J. K. BROOKS) A search for a right-wing and keen duels between the hookers and first fiveeighths will be the main points of interest in the Canterbury representative trial match at Rugby Park this afternoon.

The All-Japan player, Y. Sakata, was Canterbury’s right-wing in the match against West Coast in April, but he prefers to play on the left.

On this flank, however, R. J. Woolhouse (Linwood) has shown outstanding form this season and is almost certain to win the position. The Lincoln College leftwing, M. S. Moore, played on the right for Town against Country on Monday, and although he pulled a leg muscle in the early stages, he showed good footballing ability to score a try after a -break by W. D. Cottrell. BROTHER’S CHANCES Moore’s injury gives his twin brother, R. Moore, a chance to impress the selectors this afternoon. The brothers, both first-year seniors, have shown definite try-scoring ability for Lincoln this season. The other candidates on display will be F. A. Fowler (Cheviot), who did well for Canterbury B last year, and R. F. Cocks (Linwood), who has yet to recapture the excellent form he produced early in 1968.

G. J. Bacon (New Brighton) is the front runner among the hookers. Although he is not as fast a striker as his rival today, R. Norton (Linwood), his vigorous play in tight and loose might earn him selection. Norton is very spry in broken play and will issue a stem challenge to Bacon. LEGGE CHALLENGED The first five-eighths will have a keen tussle for supremacy. L. G. Legge (New Brighton), with his great acceleration, safe handling and well-balanced running, is obviously a footballer of promise, but he has been overshadowed in a club game

by S. W. Bowater (University A), a neat, precise player, with a deceptive dummy pass. Legge has been paired with his club half-back, L. R. Dickson, while Bowater will have his fellow University fiveeighths, H. T. Joseph, outside him.

The New Brighton prop, K. J. Tanner, was unlucky to puffer a split eyebrow in the I first minute of the TownCountry match—and will miss today’s trial. The standard of play among the front row forwards, however, should be high. A. McLellan (Lincoln College), after his triumph in the Town-Country game, will be bidding for a regular place in the Canterbury side.