Auckland XV has strong back-line

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32587, 22 April 1971, Page 32

Auckland XV has strong back-line

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND. Auckland, which has the second Ranfurly Shield challenge this season, has preferred M. Blackbum to Alan Watkins as first five-eighths in the team to play North Auckland in Whangarei on Saturday.

However, Watkins has been chosen at second fiveeighths, the position in which he played many of his games for Auckland last season.

The back-line is an experienced one, and if the Auckland forwards can win sufficient good ball and the halfback, Gemmell, can clear it quickly, the backs might sparkle in Whangarei. G. Weinberg, formerly of

Wellington, is at centre, and outside him will be the AU Black, B. G. Williams, and the promising K. Carrington. R. Whatman is the full-back and is expected to share the kicking with Williams. Several forward retirements, including that of the captain last season, K. Nelson, has left the Auckland pack with a new look. It is far less experienced at representative level than the backs. The convener of the New Zealand selection panel and All Black coach (Mr I. M. H. Vodanovich) will be in Whangarei for Saturday’s game. The Auckland team is:— Whatman; Williams, Weinberg, Carrington; Watkins, Blackbum; Gemmell; J. Posa; N. Cullimore (captain), C. Kennings, P. Tub* berty, A. Edwards; B. Johnstone, A. Hathaway, G. Denhope.