Canterbury v. Manawatu RECORDS ARE SIMILAR

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32073, 22 August 1969, Page 13

Canterbury v. Manawatu RECORDS ARE SIMILAR

(By

J. K. BROOKS)

The Canterbury-Manawatu Rugby match at Lancaster Park tomorrow should develop into an even encounter, judging by the fortunes of the two sides on their respective southern tours.

Both beat South Canterbury comfortably, both lost to Otago, and both gained a slight advantage against Southland, although Manawatu had to be satisfied with a draw.

The touring side has the advantage of having seen Canterbury in action at Dunedin. On reflection, this might be more to Canterbury’s advantage, for its display on that occasion might have lulled Manawatu into a false sense of optimism. Faults To Erase

The Canterbury team will view the match as an opportunity to eradicate the faults which were evident on its southern tour. A more positive approach to rucking by the forwards and greater variation in the back moves will be two of the principal items on the team’s schedule. L A. Kirkpatrick and A. J. Wylie will trouble Manawatu with their surging runs, but unless strong support is at hand, Canterbury’s secondphase attacks will be limited. In the backs, L. G. Legge has an opportunity to show his worth at first five-eighths, while W. F. McCormick and D. A Arnold will be striving to produce their best without the benefit of a rest to recapture their sparkle. Line-out Height

Canterbury’s newly-found form in line-out play will be under a searching examination, for the Manawatu locks, S. C. Strahan (6ft 4fin) and D. E. Bydder (Bft 3in) are accomplished leapers. Bydder, a New Zealand Universities representative, flew south from Palmerston North yesterday to replace the injured F. M. Thompson. The Manawatu captain, A F. Cornelius, a former Mid-

Canterbury and New Zealand colts representative, and R. T. de Cleene are bustling players in the loose, and L. J. Davis, the Canterbury half-back, will have to be in his liveliest form to escape their embraces. Thirteen of Manawatu’s 19 tries this season have been scored by the wings, M. W. O’Callaghan, the 1968 AR Black, and R. D. Twentyman, so it is not difficult to anticipate Manawatu’s chief Une of attack tomorrow. O’Callaghan and Twentyman have considerable speed at their command, and the Canterbury cover defenders will have to be most attentive. Played In Trials

Not the least of Manawatu’s assets will be the young fullback, J. G. Francis, whose goal-kicking has brought his side 59 points so far this season. He will fly to Christchurch today from Wellington, where he took part in the nnrter.M trials. The selection of L. R. Dickson in the New Zealand under--23 team-to pUy Tonga at Wellington tomorrow has rebounded against the selectors, who chose him as a reserve for the game at Lancaster Park. The unsuccessful under--23 candidates, H. T. Joseph, S. E. Cron, W. J. Risman, A. McLellan and S. W. Bowater will now join M. S. Moore and H. H. McDonald in the reserves. Bowater, however, had already been named in this capacity, before the national selectors’ deliberations were known. The teams are:

I Maxawatu.—Francis; O'Callaghan, J. D. Brennan, Twentyman; D. A. Kitchen, G. Tuarau; B. J. Cuff; Cornelius (captain); de Cleene, Strahan, Bydder, K. Eveleigh; G. N. Bohloff, P. Murphy. D. J. Knight. Canterbury.—McCormick: R. J. Woolhouse, Arnold, L. V. North; W. D. Cottrell, Legge; Davis; I. H. Penrose (captain); Wyllie, J. F Burns. L. A. Scherp, Kirkpatrick; A. E. Hopkinson, B. W. Norton, K. J Tanner.