Few changes likely in 1971 Kiwis

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32460, 21 November 1970, Page 48

Few changes likely in 1971 Kiwis

(From

ALAN GRAHAM.

N.Z.P.A. stag correspondent)

AVIGNON.

Almost all of the 19 players of the New Zealand Rugby League team which has now finished its tour of Europe should come back again on next year’s full tour.

None will be over 29 by that time and the experience they gained this year should give them a margin over nontourists in next year’s trial. Only two players did not meet the full approval of the management on this tour—the hooker, W. J. Burgoyne, and the second row forward, W. G. Deacon, who got only five full games between them. However, both of these also had their moments. Burgoyne when he won the scrums and played well in the loose at Bradford and Deacon when he scored 13 points and tackled well against France B.

What stands against Burgdyne is that the Kiwi scrum is based on the 6ft firststring hooker, C. E. O’Neil, and has trouble adjusting to a man of sft 7in. Deacon’s downfall was his tackling, but there was no | doubt about his goal-kicking '(10 goals from 15 attempts)

or about his passing and running. The Kiwis had no single star on tour, for the two men who almost reached that status in Britain, the wing, M. P. Brereton, and the centre, B. R. Lowther, did not play so well in France., The best Kiwi overall was the captain, F. R. Christian, who though less spectacular than Lowther, hardly made a mistake and constantly organised the young Kiwi rear-guard. With G. J. Woollard and G. M. Smith, Christian was a criticised selection, but by the end of the tour this experienced trio were automatic selections in the top Kiwi side. G. C. Ladner started as the No. 1 full-back and played well in the WorldCup, but a shoulder injury gave him only five minutes on the field thereafter, and his replacement L. Graham took his turn and became the most improved player. Graham’s goal-kicking was poor, but his running, catching and tackling often inspired the Kiwis. The success of Woollard i and the injury to Ladner did 1 not give the selectors a ! chance to try Graham at • stand-off, as intended, but he

showed enough promise in general play to warrant a trial there in the future.

Brereton prospered on the wet grounds of England because his lack of speed was not a handicap, and his robustness got him tries. With O’Neil, he among the Kiwis, could be considered for anyone’s world Rugby XIII. Little was seen of R. G. McGuinn, injured after 63 minutes of the first game and not fit enough to play again, but his replacement, the 20-year-old John Whittacker, showed great determination and should tour again. Lowther, at times, looked brilliant, but in France hard tackling forced him to run across field and pass wildly, and his confidence suffered. But his tackling improved on tour and he is a future star. Woollard was always steady at stand-off and G. R. Cooksley had a good game there at the last match. There was not much to pick at scrum-half between Cooksley and E. M. Carson, and both played better with each game. O’Neill again showed there was no better hooker in the 1 world but the Kiwis need ■ better support for him. The 1 props, J. Greengrass, and D.

J. Gailey, both played outstandingly in general play, but the versatile Smith and the tough E. N. Kereopa were both brought in to boL ster the front row in key matches.

Perhaps the biggest need of. all, in the party to tour Britain and France next vear is two big props like the British pair, Hartley- and Watson.

The 1970 Kiwi manager (Mr C. R. Mountford), summing up the present tour said that Greengrass and Gailey had played well enough considering their inexperience. “But all our forwards suffer from being built like second-rowers or loose forwards,” said Mr Mountford. “We need a couple of really big props, but I think we are. well served in most other positions with the experience gained on this tour." Greengrass, and Gailey should tour again but the Kiwis need two tough men to accompany them. Whether running, passing, tackling or goal-kicking, Smith rarely let the Kiwis down and got four tries as his reward. Kereopa and E. Heatley both started the tour as raw second row forwards and both learnt a lot about team work. They now

need to combine their obvious individual skills into a team pattern. The vice-captain, A. P. Kriletich, was a little slow with ball in Hand but was the best Kiwi tackler. His attention to physical fitness opened the eyes of his fellow tourists. Perhaps it is no surprise, then, that while others drop out through injury, Kriletich has survived 13 consecutive tests since his debut in 1967 and is now set to approach the record of 21 consecutive tests.

In the eight games played (they won five, lost three), the Kiwis scored 124 points (24 tries, 26 goals) and conceded 153 points (29 tries, 33 goals). . The full list of games played and appearances as substitutes, and points scored, is:—

The following did not score: Greengrass, played 8; Gailey, 6; Kereopa, 5; Heatley, 5; Carson, 3; Burgoyne, 2; JHcGuinn, 1.

.. p T G Pts Ladner 4 0 13 26 Deacon 4 1 10 23 Brereton 8 6 0 18 Smith 8 4 1 14 Graham 8 2 2 10 Lowther 8 3 0 9 Christian 8 2 0 6 Cooksley . . 6 2 0 6 Kriletlch . 8 1 0 3 Woollard . . 7 1 0 3 Whittaker 7 1 0 3 O’Neil . 6 1 0 3