Two full-backs included in Shield training squad

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32676, 4 August 1971, Page 28

Two full-backs included in Shield training squad

(By

K. J. McMENAMIN)

The inclusion of two full-backs and the choice of B. J. Ford (Shirley) ahead of other wing candidates, most notably B. C. Cochrane (Christchurch), are the most interesting features of the Canterbury Rugby squad, announced yesterday, to prepare for the Ranfurly Shield defences, which begin on August 21.

The selectors (Dr J. D. Stewart and Mr M. J. Dixon) have included 23 players, with Ford the only one who was not a member of last winter’s squad.

A prominent sprinter in the summer, Ford had his first game for Canterbury A against Mid-Canterbury two months ago. However, an injury prevented him from playing the full match and for the same reason he also has had to retire early from a number of club grn.es this winter.

Cochrane was the right wing in Canterbury’s first two matches this season, but then gave way to L. W. Jones (University A). When Jones was not available for the MidCanterbury match, Ford was

selected, with Cochrane coming on as his replacement. Cochrane, who is a noted track sprinter, looked to have proved himself superior to Ford when they opposed each other in a club match last Saturday and Cochrane scored three fine tries. Cochrane’s forcefulness on attack and safeness on defence were in contrast to the uncertainties apparent in Ford’s play. The Lincoln College pair, B. McConnochie and M. Moore, and R. Knight (Christchurch), A. Inglis (Linwood) and D. Berry (Marist) are other wings who must have been considered. R. F. Cocks (Linwood) perhaps the best equipped of them all, has been out of action for some weeks with a leg injury and, therefore, had little chance of regaining the place he held for the early shield challenges last year.

The choice of W. J. Lewis (University A), presumably as an understudy to W. F. McCormick (Linwood) was a little unexpected. Apart from the fact that specialist second-string full backs have become a thing of the past, Lewis, after an early season injury, has played only in the last five rounds of club matches. However, he has scored 48 pointe in this time. If, as last year, he should be called into action, Canterbury supporters would have little reason for concern. The remainder of the squad is as was expected and with such a solid and experienced core to work from, Canterbury can look with optimism to its shield programme of seven challenges in six weeks and a half.

Dr Stewart said yesterday that players might be added if there were injuries or if form dictated changes. The squad is: McCormick, Lowll, R. J. WoolhouM (Linwood), Jon**, Ford, H. T. Jotoph (Unlw illy A). K. J. Olmbltn (Linwood), W. D. CoHrott (Suburb*), 0.0. Brvco (Oxford), L. J. Dsvls (Suburb*), B. F. Bldor (Linwood); I. H. F*nro*o (Now BrfcMon), A Maffioson (Unimark), 4. F. Bum* (Marl**), H. H. McDonald (Oxford), R. J.

Lockwood (Lincoln College), A. McLellan (Lincoln College), K. J. Tanner (New Brighton), A. E. Hopkinton (Cheviot), R. T. Norton (Linwood), I. Brant (Suburbs). SOUTHERN TOUR The selection of the 19 players to travel south for the matches against Southland and Otago next week has had to be delayed until after the All Black selectors have announced the team for the fourth test at Auckland on August 14. Three players, L. J. Dickson (New Brighton), D. Hales (Lincoln College), and C. J. Read (Shirley), have been asked to attend the squad’s practices this week, to replace any Canterbury players chosen for the test.

CHANCE FOR DICKSON Dickson, the half-back for the Junior All Blacks in 1969, but not even ranked in the top three in the position in Canterbury last season, has a good chance of being in the touring party. Davis almost certainly will be at Auckland, if only to take his usual place among the emergencies, and Elder has a leg injury which has been bothering him for some weeks and which forced him to leave the field at half-time in a club match on Saturday. Fate would be dealing Elder an unkind blow if. because of the injury, he has to Withdraw. As Davis’s understudy, he has made only four well-spread appearances for Canterbury. His talents are such that they deserve greater exposure.