Laidlaw Named In XV

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32210, 31 January 1970, Page 13

Laidlaw Named In XV

The former All Black half-back, C. R. Laidlaw, will take the first step towards regaining his place in the New Zealand Rugby team when he plays for B. J. Lochore’s XV in an invitation match against the Sassenachs at Blenheim on March 14. Laidlaw, who won 17 test caps between 1964 and 1968, studied at Oxford University last year and at present is carrying out anthropology studies in Fiji. He is due to return to New Zealand at the end of next month. In the event of his departure being delayed, the Wellington half-back, I. N. Stevens, will take his place. Ten All Black who played against Wales in the test series last season and seven former New Zealand representatives will appear in the Blenheim match. All of them are keen to tour South Africa this year and with the trials being held early in the season, the form displayed at Blenheim will be of particular interest to the national selectors.

. The teams are: S.mn.ehi.—L. W. Mains (Otago); M. J. Dick (Auckland), W. L. Davis (Hawke’s Bay), B. A. Hunter (Otago); W. D. Cottrell (Canterbury), B. D. M. Furlong (Hawke’s Bay); G. L. Colling (Otago); A. R. Sutherland (Marlborough); A. J. Wyllle (Canterbury), J. F. Burns (Canterbury), P. J. Whiting (Auckland), K. R. Trematn (Hawke's Bay, captain); K. Murdoch (Otago), o. A. Pesclnl (Otago), A. J. Kreft (Otago). Lochore’s XV—W. F McCormick (Canterbury); N. M. Avery (Marlborough). B. L. Williams (Auckland). O. G. Stephens (Wellington); I. R. Macßae (Hawke T s Bay), A. M. Watkins (Auckland): C. R Laidlaw or I. N. Stevens (Wellington); B. J. Lochore (Watrarapa, captain); T. N. Lister (South Canterbury), A. E. Smith (Taranaki). S. C. Strahan (Manawatu). I. A. Klrk--6 .trick (Poverty Bay): A. E. opklnson (Canterbury), B. E. McLeod (Counties), J. W. Joseph (Marlborough). SURFING CONTEST With the probability of a heavy surf at Taylor’s Mistake this afternoon, the contest between Canterbury, Otago and the visiting 12-man New South Wales Country surf life-saving team should be a more even one than was expected. The Australians have dominated every one of the carnivals in which they have competed in New Zealand, and have a number of specialists in their ranks. P. A. Reynolds is the outstanding member having been