HARD TASK FOR BULLER IN SHIELD MATCH

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32396, 8 September 1970, Page 11

HARD TASK FOR BULLER IN SHIELD MATCH

(By

J. K. RROOKS)

Not even the most optimistic Buller Rugby supporter can expect his team to upset Canterbury in the fourth Ranfurly Shield challenge match at Lancaster Park Oval this afternoon.

Buller has won only one of its seven representative matches this season, and fate has dealt with it unkindly in its approach to the big game. W. N. Forsyth and A. R. Moseley, its two reliable midfield backs, have been laid aside with Injuries, and the effects of the flood last week have made inroads into the

players’ physical and mental preparation. Several members of the challenging team were involved in exhausting flood protection work last week, and the postponement of the game from last Wednesday until today has brought them little relief. Fine Tackling But, within its limitations, the side is certain to give a good account of itself. Last year, at Westport, a Canterbury side containing W. F. McCormick, W. D. Cottrell, I. A. Kirkpatrick and J. F. Burns, beat Buller by only 27-6, and the best tackling on that occasion came from Forsyth and Moseley. They brought down Cottrell and H. T. Joseph unceremoniously. Today, the Buller coach (Mr J. H. Hunt), who played for his union against Canterbury in shield matches in the 19505, will have to Instill a similar spirit in his young backs if Canterbury is to be stopped from gaining a runaway victory. The shield holder has made several changes to its team, but these will not impair the over-all effectiveness of the side which has turned back two substantial challenges from Waikato and Taranaki in the last two weeks. Read Baek C. J. Read’s return to the pack will give Canterbury a strong hand in the loose, and although M. R. McEwan, at second five-eighths, will be playing his first game for the province, the understanding he has achieved with 0. D. Bruce and R. J. Knight in club football should preserve Canterbury’s solidarity in midfield.

The Buller union is probably the smallest in New Zealand, for its team is drawn from a population of only 9000. But, in the last 20 years it has produced many forwards of considerable merit, notably W. J. Murom, a 1949 All Black, G. F. Anderson, O H. Nahr and J. B. Shaw. The example of Nahr. who passed a century of matches for his union earlier this season, will mean much to the challenger’s pack. W. Moultrie, a former Suburbs (Christchurch) flanker, has been one of the team’s leading forwards this season, according to the Westport correspondent of "The Press,” and D. M. Stevenson

—who is Mumm’s nephew—has proved a lively No. 8. He was a reserve for the All Black trials this year. Buller’s strength lies in its forwards, and although the pack does not have much hope in achieving parity in possession, its effectiveness in the loose might cause Canterbury some concern. The shield-holder has been well beaten in line-out possession in recent matches, but it has brighter hopes today. Its ability in winning ball from rucks and scrums should ensure the backs of plentiful possession, and R. F. Cocks and L. W. Jones, on the wings, should be able to give full rein to their attacking ability. If Buller is to trouble Canterbury, its midfield will have to tackle in the style of Forsyth and Moseley, while the other players attempt to take advantage of the loose ball. Good Kicker H. Pablecheque, the first five-eighths, will be a dangerous scoring man, for he has kicked three 40yd dropped goals for Buller this season. The captain, B. Stack, a former South Island reprehas been in good form on the wing. But Buller needs a player of Stack’s experience in midfield. The five changes Canter- i bury has made for this game have not weakened the side to any degree, and the shield holder’s familiarity with the hard, dusty ground should prove to be in its favour.

The teams are: Canterbury W. J. Lewis; Cocks, Knight, Jones; McEwan, Bruce; L. J. Davis: I. H. Penrose (captain); A. C. Matheson, H. H. McDonald, E. R. Leask, Read; K. J. Tanner, R. W. Norton, L. A. Adam. Buller.—G. W. Hart; Stack (captain), J. E. Zampach, J. Dickson; B. Morgan, Pablecheque; R. J. Murray; Stevenson; Moultrie, Nahr, K. J. Pratt, C. A. Fussell; M. J, Syron; T. Aldridge, B. R. Hearsey.