KIWIS RATED FOR SERIES Rugby league tourists given good chance

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32702, 3 September 1971, Page 30

KIWIS RATED FOR SERIES Rugby league tourists given good chance

(From J. O. COFFEY, N.Z.P.A. special correspondent) WARRINGTON (Lancashire). “If New Zealand does not win the series this year, it may not be able to do so for a long time,” the former Great Britain Rugby league half-back, A. Murphy, said yesterday, when commenting on the Kiwis’ chances of victory in the test series.

“I think New Zealand’s prospects of success are very good, after its morale-boosting win over Australia,” he said.

Britain was going through a rebuilding period with many changes having been forced upon the selectors since it lost only one of its 24 games in Australia and New Zealand 12 months ago, Murphy said.

“If the Kiwis strike top form straight away, they have a big chance,” he said. The loss of experienced test players, C. Watson, D. Hartley, M. Reilly, J. Thompson, F. Myler, M. Shc.'bottom, and possibly also S. Hynes, had left a big gap to be filled, he said.

Murphy, who made his international debut against Australia in 1958 when only 18, considers that there is a lack of depth in the half-back position in England. Keith Hepworth had not displayed the ability that was evident in his performances behind the scrum in Australia and New Zealand, and in the more recent World Cup tournament, and had also failed to come to financial terms with his club, he said. Two other regular test players, A Fisher and R. Millward do not rate as- first

:hoices in Murphy’s opinion, ilthough they may be in:luded when the team is anlounced on September 8 if hey can regain their previ>us standard. Murphy ranks K. Ashcroft, ind A. Karalius, the younger irother of the former test forward V. Karalius, ahead of ’isher as a hooker, and he insiders that the Welshman ), Watkins, is playing beter than Millward at stand>ff half. “If Hynes, who is still competing a six-match suspen;ion after being ordered off in he Challenge Cup final in 4ay, is not considered, then Jill Benyon and Chris Hesteth may be Britain’s cenres,” Murphy said. Two prominent prop forward candidates were the ormer Rugby union intemaional, M. Coleman, and .furphy's Warrington teamnate, D. Chisnall. Hard games Murphy said that many tabs games would be just as lard to win as the tests—in ontrast to a majority of Iritish journalists, who have uggested that the overall tab standard has dropped.

Watkins, who is considering a close-season coaching job in New Zealand, scored

, IL goals as Salford easily ■ beat local rivals, Swinton, ■ 34-9, this week. E The New Zealand team had ’ its first real injury scare when the scrum-half D. Dow- > sett, had to be carried from ■ the ground at War- • rington, the Kiwis’ training [ ground. ' Dowsett twisted a knee ‘ when he slipped and fell ’ while taking part in a game ’ of touch football among the players not required for the ’ opening tour match against ’ Rochdale Hornets on Saturday. i Pointers He was taken to Warring- ’ ton Hospital by Murphy, who had been giving the Kiwis a ; few pointers on English rule ! interpretations for scrum and ■ play-the-balls. When Dowsett returned to ’ the team’s hotel, his right leg was bandaged from his thigh almost to his ankle, and he was walking with the aid ' of a stick. There was a splint i inserted inside the bandage to i keep the leg straight. It is ’ suspected that Dowsett has i cartilage trouble. Dowsett is I to have a further examination when an indication of

the extent of the injury will be more accurate. Three other backs—M. J.

McClennan, G. R. Cooksley and J. C. O’Sullivan, also had medical treatment. McClennan had been worried by a slight groin injury, but will play against Rochdale. Cooksley’s pulled hamstring has improved steadily, and O’Sullivan, whose cheekbone was broken in New Zealand before the team’s departure, will be available in ten days.

The Kiwis had their first look at British professional Rugby league when they were guests at a club match between Leeds and Oldham in Oldham.

Good start Meanwhile, a New Zealand Rugby league trialist, K. Pittman, has made an impressive start with Warrington. He has been on their books for only five days, but has already played twice. Pittman, aged 21, a centre threequarter, was prominent in Warrington’s comfortable win over Blackpool. Pittman, who played with the Te Atatu club in New Zealand, was recommended to Warrington by the club’s former manager, C. Mountford. He failed to win selection for the Kiwis international touring team. The Kiwis team for the match against Rochdale Hornets is:—

McClennan, P. C. Orchard, F. R. Christian, D. A. Williams, J. A. Whittaker, G.-T. Woollard, K. L. Sterling, J. Greengrass, W. J. E. Burgoyne, R. I. Orchard, W. G. Deacon, A. P. Kriletich, R. F. Williams. Substitutes: M. P. Brereton, J. H. Fisher.