HONOUR FOR N.Z. LEAGUE WING

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32494, 2 January 1971, Page 5

HONOUR FOR N.Z. LEAGUE WING

'THE Canterbury and New Zealand Rugby league representative, M. P. Brereton, was one of the two most impressive wings at the recent World Cup series in England, according to the experienced Australian sports writer, Mr E. E. Christensen. Brereton and the spectacular Frenchman, S. Marsolan, were chosen by Mr Christensen as the wings in a mythical “World XIII.” They were the only players from their respective countries named in the team. In commenting on his selection, Mr Christensen wrote that the styles of Brereton—whose running is most notable for its strength and determination—and the fast and evasive Marsolan were contrasting but equally effective. Although the Kiwi hooker C. E. O’Neil, won the scrum in each of the World Cup

fixtures, Mr Christensen preferred the Welshman, A. Fisher, in his team because of Fisher’s better all-round play. The other British representatives included were the goal-kicking full-back, R. F. Dutton, who was the runner up to R. Fulton (Australia) for the sponsored “super star” award at the tournament, and the aggressive centre, S. Hynes. Hynes, who was sent from the field along with W. J. Smith (Australia) during injury time in the grand final, was paired in the centres with the Roman Catholic priest, J. Cootes, by Mr Christensen. The half-backs named by Mr Christensen were Fulton and Smith and the five forwards selected to assist Fisher were all Australians, R. Coote, R. J. McCarthy, P. Sait, J. O’Neil and R, O’Reilly.