Young Rugby Trialists Set Future Targets

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32072, 21 August 1969, Page 13

Young Rugby Trialists Set Future Targets

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON.

Sixty-eight young Rugby players who will play in national under 23 trials at Athletic Park today, have the opportunity of impressing the selectors with two objects in mind.

Their immediate aim is to win a place in the junior team to play the touring Tongans in Wellington on Saturday.

But the chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union (Mr J. Sullivan) told them yesterday that the selectors would also be watching them with a view to next year’s trials before the South African tour.

The chairman of the selection panel (Mr I. H. Vodanovich) also reminded them the

selectors would be looking ahead.

But three outstanding young players will be missing. The Wellington half-back, I. N. Stevens, has withdrawn because of a leg injury and has been replaced by L. Colling (Otago). The Hawke’s Bay lock. R. Robinson, has a calf muscle injury, and the King Country wing, P. Strange, a hamstring injury. They have been replaced by P. Whiting (Auckland) and N. Avery (Marlborough), respectively. The youngest player in the

trials is the 17-year-old fullback, J. Karam (Wellington). Mr Vodanovich said the advantage of the trials from the selectors* point of view was the opportunity for the young players to show their paces against opponents of equal calibre. A feature of the practices yesterday was the sharpness of the back lines, particularly close to the scrum. There seemed plenty of rugged drive among the forwards and skill in the line-out play. The teams are: First Trial Black XV.—J. Francis (Miarvawatu); N. Avery (Marlborougih), P. Gard (North Otago), D. L. Pailmer (Auckland); O. D. Bruce (Mid-Caniteir bury), M. Sayer® (Wellington); G. Lewis (Counties); R. Kingdon (Southland); T. Davis (Hawke’s Bay), R, L. Stuart (Hawke*® Bay), F J. Oliver (Southland). P. Mo watt (Marlborough); L. E. Bennett (Bay of Plenty), J. K. Mcßae (South Canterbury), A. Gardiner (Taranaki, captain). White XV.—J. Karam (Wellington); D. Koni (King Country), L. O. Booth (Southland), B. Hunter (Otago); S. Bowater (Canterbury). M. R. S. Natuech (Hawkeßay); L. R. Dickson (Canterbury); P. J. Ryan (Bush); W. Robinson (Horowhenua), T. A. Julian (Nelson), D. M. Waller (Wellington), J. B. Teat (Bay of Plenty); R. Craig (Counties). D. Fescini (Otago, captain). J. M. Thwaites (Taranaki). Second Trial Black XV.—B. Landrum (Counties); M. Collin® (Otago), B. G. William® (Auckland), M. G. Duncan (Hawke’s Bay); A. J. Clark (Otago), B. R. Niven (Wellington); L. Colling (Otago); P. K. Shorter (Auckland); T. Marriner (King Country), P. Whiting (Auckland), B. Holmes (North Auckland). A. Campbell (Taranaki); A. McLellan (Canterbury, captain). G. J. Bacon (Canterbury). G. Whiting (King Country). White XV.—P. R. Carney (Hawke’s Bay); G. I. Barbara (Counties). H. T. Joseph (Canterbury). L. J. Bradley (North Auckland): A. M. Watkins (Auckland). J. P. Dougan (Hawke’s Bay); H. J. Paewai (Hawke’s Bay); S. E. Cron (Canterbury): M. Gudgeon (Counties. captain), R. Clarke (Counties). W. J. Risman (Canterbury). A. M. McNaughton (Bay of Plenty); W. N. Rowlands (Wairarapa), G. E. Falconer (Wairarapa), G- T. Wiig (Hawke’s Bay). Reserves.—Backs: K. Greene (Waikato), J. Wereta (King Country), B. R. Ahearn (Wanganui), G. R. Weinberg (Wellingt'hon). Forwards: W. Grieve (Manawatu). K. J. Mahuika (West Coast). G. Prince (NelsonBays).