Bookings are poor for Kiwi World Cup games

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32430, 17 October 1970, Page 48

Bookings are poor for Kiwi World Cup games

(From ALAN GRAHAM, N.Z.P.A. staff correspondent)

MANCHESTER. Bookings are very disappointing so far for New Zealand’s first two matches in the Rugby League Cup series this month. Officials at Wigan have called bookings “very poor” for the Kiwis' first match against Australia under floodlights next Wednesday, and those at Hull for the second game against France on Sunday week are said to be "very ordinary.” However, bookings for all the games Great Britain will play are good, including the match with New Zealand at Swinton on October 31.

Three new Kiwis, or five counting substitutes, have been named in the team to play Australia in the first match.

The new players are R. C. McGuinn, a wing and E. Heatley, second row, both of the Otahuhu Club in Auckland, and E. N. Kereopa, second row, from Tokoroa. L. Graham, of Auckland, and J. Greengrass, of Canterbury, were named as substitutes for the test and will also become new Kiwis if they get a chance to play. Kereopa is a little in doubt as he pulled up early in training with a bruised foot. This caused the selectors to name W. G. Deacon (Waikato) as a

possible replacement for the big Maori. But Kereopa is expected to be passed as fit for his first test. The full New Zealand selection is: Full-back, G. Ladner (West Coast); three-quarters, McGuinn, R. Christian (Auckland), B. Lowther (Auckland), M. Brereton (Canterbury); five eighth, G. Woollard (Auckland); half-back, G. Cooksley (Canterbury); front row, D. Gailey (Auckland), C. O’Neil (Wellington); G. Smith (Wellington); second-row, E. Heatley (Auckland), Kerepoa or Deacon; loose-forward, A. Kriletich (Auckland). Reserve back, Graham; reserve forward, J. Greengrass (Canterbury). Greengrass, like Kereopa, did not complete the Kiwis’

training run at Manchester. A bruise caused by a kick in the back before he left New Zealand was causing him some trouble. But he is also expected to be fit by next Wednesday. Christian will captain the team with Kriletich as the vice-captain. Christian, along with Deacon, played in New Zealand's last test at the Wigan ground—the third test in 1965, which was drawn 9-9.

The Kiwis played magnificently that day and should have won, missing three dropper goals in the last few minutes, as well as being dragged down inches short of a try. O’Neil is the third survivor in the present team of the 1965 party, but he did not play in the Wigan test. WIGAN VISIT Interest in the New Zealand game amongst Wigan fans increased sharply when the entire team, led by their manager, Mr C. R. Mountford, a former Wigan player, watched Wigan play on Wednesday night. The Kiwi team were very well received by Wigan officials, and players and all received presentation of Wigan's colours. Mr Mountford has declined

to pick either of the two referees submitted to him for consideration for the first game. “I’m leaving that entirely to the English Rugby league,” he said. “I understand they are both extremely good.”