Tall pack might give Lions trouble today

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32639, 22 June 1971, Page 32

Tall pack might give Lions trouble today

(From Our Own Reporter)

BLENHEIM.

Previous British Isles sides have found the combined unions of Nelson-Golden Bay-Motueka-Marlborough very palatable fare. The team they meet today, however, is likely to be a much tougher proposition.

The amalgamation of the Nelson and Golden BayMotueka unions has given the new Nelson Bays union greater depth and purpose, and already, after a season and a half, the record books have noted the change.

The All Black No. 8 for the first test, A. R. Sutherland, will play from the side of the scrum. An injury to the Junior All Black lock, T. A. Julian, in a club game a little more than a week ago has not healed quickly enough, and his place in the side will be taken by R. Dickson. The Combined team is determined to do what no other union has yet accomplished on this tour. “We’re out to win” the co-selector, Mr C. T. Cowman, said yesterday after the team had completed its pre-match training at Spring Creek. TALL FORWARDS The Combined side certainly has the will to achieve the win and a forward pack which well might give the Lions another gruelling struggle up front. The pack probably will be the tallest yet struck by the tourists. With the exception of the hooker, T. Forrest, every forward is more than 6ft tall and most of them are around the 6ft 3in marie. The biggest is the No.B, B. Grant, who is 6ft 7in.

The half-back, R. May, clears the ball very quickly, and outside him A. Goddard (son of the former All Black, M. P. Goddard) is a first fiveeighths of great promise. The three-quarters have tryscoring potential, but much will depend on Goddard and J. Gleeson, at second fiveeighths. A slow service inside could nullify the elusiveness of R. Bowater, at centre; and a pair of tricky wings, T. W. Mitchell (the Maori All Black) and G. Ross. THE TEAMS * The teams for today are:— British Isles.—H. R. Huler. A. G. Biggar J. S. Spencer, C. W. W. Rea, T. G. R. Davies, C. M. H. Gibson, R. A. Hopkins, W. J. Mcßride, D. Quinnell, G. L. Brown, M. G. Roberts, p. J. Dixon, J. F. Lynch, F. A. L. Laidlaw, J. McLachlan. Reserves: Backs; A. J. Lewis and S. J. Dawes: forwards, J. V- Pullin and vf. D. Thomas. h N.lwn Bays-Marlborough. m G&n, wm B. Smith, Forrest. J. Joseph. Reserves: Backs. J. Thompson. J. Townsend; forwards. K. Edwards. M. Little.

Appeal.—-Western Suburbs As* sociation Football Club is to appeal against the $BO fine fan* posed on them for missing a Rothmans national league game against Christchurch United two weeks ago. Soccer.—A. Marley (New Brighton) has been added to the Canterbury squad for the match against Wales at English Park on July 3.