Cottrell and Sutherland are keys to N.Z. selection puzzle

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32613, 22 May 1971, Page 14

Cottrell and Sutherland are keys to N.Z. selection puzzle

(By

J. K. BROOKS)

The piecing together of the All Black jig-saw was accelerated by the four trial games of last week, and although the national Rugby selectors plan to keep a watchful eye on likely players during the next four weeks, the puzzle is well on the way to being solved. The key to the composition of the New Zealand side for the first test against the British Lions on June 26 lies in the choice of positions for two of the certainties, W. D. Cottrell (Canterbury), and A. R. Sutherland (Marlborough). In the Christchurch trial, Cottrell was placed at second five-eighths and Sutherland at No. 8; at Auckland, Cottrell was moved closer to the scrum while Sutherland became a lock. Although he does not prefer one five eighths position to the other, Cottrell seems best suited to a place in mid-field. It is here that his great talents of making the break, stopping an opposing thrust and ripping the ball clear for his forwards, and initiating movements from broken play find their fullest expression. It is here, too, that his backing up and covering are of the greatest use to his team. Against the Lions, assets like these will be in demand.

After a convincing display in the final trial, the Wellington player, J. P. Dougan, has blossomed forth as the possible first five-eighths. He played con-

fidently under difficult conditions and all aspects of his game were up to national standard. Before Dougan was rescued from obscurity by the selectors, the most impressive trialist at first fiveeighths was B. D. M. Furlong (Hawke’s Bay), who played in the final test against the Springboks last year. But Furlong, like the Canterbury prop, A. E. Hopkinson, appears to be out of favour, notwithstanding his undoubted skill and generalship. Apart from one wing position, the rest of the places in the back-line appear to be settled. W. F. McCormick (Canterbury), full of raw courage and bristling with determination, once again has proved himself the top full-back, with the orthodox L. W. Mains (Otago) a competent No. 2. M. G. Duncan, a strong runner and solid defender, has gained the upper hand at centre from his Hawke’s Bay team-mate, W. L. Davis, while the brilliant B. G. Williams (Auckland) is the first choice on the wing. S. M. Going (North Auckland) will probably retain the half-back position, but Canterbury’s L. J. Davis closed the gap on his lively rival with his sound game in the final trial, and he will merit close consideration. G. L. Colling (Otago), after a fine South Island trial, is also in the running. The remaining wing position must be causing the selectors concern. B. A. Hunter (Otago) scored a splendid try at Christchurch, but he revealed

flaws under pressure and it would be a risk to play him in a test The Nelson-Bays player, T. W. Mitchell, and K. R. Carrington (Auckland) are

young men with plenty of. initiative. But their repre- ‘ sentative careers are still in their infancy, and the selectors probably are wary of adding to the tremendous turnover in New Zealand wings during the last few years. On his play in the final Ranfurly Shield challenge of 1970, R. L. Gray (Wellington) appeared to be a grand prospect, but the selectors have made it clear that he does not figure on their short list. The man who might step into the breach is H. P. Milner (Wanganui), normally a centre or second fiveeighths, but who became a trusty left wing in South Africa and played well in the third test. He is depend-, able on attack and defence, and although he was not tried as a wing in the trials, his ability in the

position will be well known to Mr I. M. H. Vodanovich, the chief selector and coach of the 1970 All Blacks. And so to the forwards, and the riddle of where Sutherland will play. He is an unorthodox but devastating player at No. 8, while at lock he resembles the Meads of 10 years ago. In South Africa he was

. .good enough to displace ‘ specialist locks in two of the tests. Should Sutherland win the back row position, P. J. Whiting (Auckland), a huge fellow of 6ft sin and 17st 41b, would probably gain a place in the scrum at the expense of the vastly improved J.,F. Burns (Canter? bury). Whiting,; is very mobile for his Size and an impressive jumper at No. 5 in the line-out • However, -New Zealand has so many excellent loose forwards that Sutherland would not be missed if he was played at lock. I. A Kirkpatrick (Poverty Bay) is a truly commanding figure on the flank, and he will be one of the first chosen. A J. Wyllie (Canterbury), T. N. Lister (South Canterbury) and G. C, Williams (Wellington) all have strong claims, and then there are

B. Holmes (North Auckland), A M. McNaughton (Bay of Plenty) and the Canterbury players, S. E. Cron and A E. Matheson, to illustrate New Zealand’s great depth in side row forwards. Wyllie, the brawny 16st Glenmark farmer, made an excellent job of the No. 8 position in the final trial.

setting up scoring movements with, aplomb and rucking spiritedly. This leaves Lister and Williams in competition for the other place, and although * Williams tackles hard and roams effectively, Mr Vodanovach’s call for more driving play from 'the lineout brings Lister strongly, into consideratioh. G E. Meads (King Country) has had more than ' his share of . injuries iff the last 12 months, but there is little doubt that he will; take' his place in the scrum’s engine room again. His ability ,to control play at close quarters is uncanny, and the great respect in which, he is held by his fellow footballers makes him the likely choice as captain. , There are interesting alternatives for the prop positions. On the one hand are the massive men of last year’s tour, K. Murdoch (Otago) and B. L. Muller (Taranaki); on the other, the incredible light-weights, A. McLellan (Canterbury) and R. A. Guy (North Auckland). Weight will probably prevail in this instance, but McLellan bowed to noone in tests of strength and skill and must have enhanced his prospects of a tour to Britain next year. Guy, who is built along the lines of a totem pole, is a remarkable chaser of the ball. But Murdoch and Muller will be needed in the rucks against the Lions, for this is one phase of play where the All Blacks appear to hold the whip hand.

Mention of rucking brings an interesting possibility to light in the quest for a hooker. R. W. Norton (Canterbury), one of the shield holder’s kamikaze brigade, was particularly good in the final trial and helped Meads’s team win the rucks, 22-4. In addition, he was more effective at the front of the line-out than the present All Black, R. A. Urlich (Auckland), and held his illustrious rival in the scrums. It is not beyond the bounds of possibility that he might receive a sudden rise in status in a

month’s time. The New Zealand team for the first test, therefore, might be:— McCormick; Williams, Duncan, Milner; Cottrell, Dougan; Going; Wyllie; Kirkpatrick, Meads (captain), Sutherland, Lister; Muller, Norton, Murdoch. Reserves. Backs: L. J. Davis, Mitchell. Forwards: Urlich, Burns.