MORE URGENCY ABOUT BRITISH TEAM Kiwis getting new respect from opponents

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32737, 14 October 1971, Page 24

MORE URGENCY ABOUT BRITISH TEAM Kiwis getting new respect from opponents

(From J. O. COFFEY, N.Z.P.A. special correspondent) HUDDERSFIELD.

There is a decided air or urgency and anxiety in British Rugby league circles concerning the outcome of the second test against New Zealand at Castleford on Saturday. Only three weeks ago, journalists and supporters unanimously wrote off the Kiwis’ prospects of extending Great Britain in the first test at Salford, an attitude that was not surprising because of the poor form of the tourists.

But New Zealand’s 18-13 victory, and the subsequent easy win over the powerful Wigan club have erased Britain’s complacency.

The first indication of this radically changed opinion was Britain’s request for a third test regardless of the result at Castleford. Previously, its administrators were adamant that the proposed third international be replaced by a game with the Leeds club if the series was already decided. I Greater interest This may be taken as a tribute to the attractive style of Rugby league displayed by the Kiwis and an example of greater public interest in the tour. Britain’s five-man selection panel then made five alterations to its team and recommended that the former test forward, J. Whiteley, be appointed as coach. Whiteley, who guided Britain to series victories in Australia and New Zealand last year, refused the invita-1 tion, so that the selectors are again directing training. Last week another alteration was made to Britain’s line-up when the scrum-half,

S. Nash, suffered a leg injury in a club match. A. Murphy, who has been appearing at stand-off half for most of the past two seasons, was chosen as his replacement. This was perhaps the clearest evidence of Britain’s concern, for Murphy had been neglected by his country since he withdrew from the 1966 Lions side which visited Australia and New Zealand. Also, the number of prematch practice sessions was increased from two to three, and Castleford was selected as the venue for them. The team captain, R. Millward, said yesterday that the training had been more impressive than before the first test and promised that Britain would have more planned movements. The only injury problem concerns the reserve forward, M. Coulman, who is favouring a calf muscle. The inclusion of Murphy inside Millward and D. Watkins means that Britain will

have three players who are predominantly regarded as stand-off halves. Watkins has already scored 175 points, including 77 goals, in only 12 games this season. The Kiwi wing, P. C. Orchard, shares second equal place on the list of tryscorers, with 11 touchdowns in nine appearances in England. At the top is the Bradford Northern three-quarters, M. Redfearn, whose total is 12, while the Welshman, M. Richards (Salford), and the British test wing, C. Sullivan (Hull), have the same number as Orchard.