Australia Determined To Win League Despite Injuries

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32010, 10 June 1969, Page 19

Australia Determined To Win League Despite Injuries

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND. The toll of five games in 11 days has caught up with the touring Australian Rugby league team. Today it will play its final match, against Auckland, with a side weakened by injuries.

The Kangaroos suffered a blow at training yesterday morning, when the wing, M. A. Cleary, was forced off the field by the muscle injury that kept him out of both tests.

It seems likely that the centre, J. McDonald will fill Cleary’s place, and the lock, R. J. Coote, will join J. Cootes in the centres.

Ruled out by injury are the full-back, L. H. Johns (bruised ribs) and the standoff, D. Pittard—he wanted to play all six games; he has played five but now has a swollen knee.

The team’s co-manager, Mr E. Bums, said the reserve wing, J. Denman, had an infected heel, and the prop, J Wittenberg, had a sore shoulder. The Australians had found the tour too rapid. “It is the recognised thing in Australia that you get a week’s break before a test,” he said. “We have only 20 players. If six or seven are injured, it is hard to put a team on the field. But we are not crying, the better team won on Saturday.” Although the Kangaroos could not go home with an unbeaten record, they were determined to win today. “We will field the best team available,” Mr Bums

said. “That let’s you know what we think of the game. We are out to win.” EIGHT KIWIS Auckland will field three of Saturday’s successful test team —G. J. Woollard, E. R. Christian and D. J. Gailey—giving it a total of eight Kiwis. Auckland is traditionally a tough rival for touring teams, partly because of its great strength and partly because the game is always on

the Tuesday after the last test.

It has a powerful pack and a talented back line that could worry the Australians into their second successive defeat. The match will begin at 3.15 p.m. The teams:— Auckland.—J. Young, M. McClanhan, F. R. Christian, P. J. Schultz, J. Sparnon, G. J. Woollard, E. M. Canson, H. R. Sinel, E. D. Wiggs, E. Moore, V. M. Yates, W. Burgoyne, D. J. Gailey. Reserves: W. Redmond. A. P. Kriletich.

Australia (likely choice).—G. F. Langlands, J. McDonald, J. Cootes, R. J. Coote, R. E. Honan, G. Lye. D. Ward, C. Weiss, R. J. McCarthy, R. Costello, .1. Sattler, B. Fitzsimmons, J. Wittenberg.

The referee will be Mr E. Pilcher (Wellington).