Greengrass finds his niche

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32775, 27 November 1971, Page 14

Greengrass finds his niche

(From J. O. COFFEY) AVIGNON. The development of the Canterbury representative, John Greengrass, as a second-row forward of considerable talent was one of the most satisfying and heartening aspects of the New Zealand Rugby league team’s tour of Britain and France. When the Kiwis arrived in England there was a key vacancy in the pack because of the absence of E. Heatley (Auckland), who broke a leg in a provincial fixture shortly after giving an out-

standing display against ■Australia. Greengrass immediately became the strongest challenger for the position, and clinched his selection in the first test XIII with some exceptional defensive work. The fastest forward in the party, he quickly earned a reputation for covering opposing three - quarters with tackling that was invariably low and forceful. During the second half of the British itinerary, the 15st Greengrass began to take an increasingly more prominent role in the attacking movements from play-the-ball situations. In this sphere, also, his pace was a decided advantage. His try in the third international at Leeds was a fitting reward for a praiseworthy performance. There was a scramble for possession from a scrum close to Britain’s goal-line and Greengrass positioned him-

self well to take the ba from his captain, F. R. Christian, ana evade the disorganised British backs. But it was at Wakefield that Greengrass produced his most memorable contribution to the matches in Britain. On two occasions he ran more than 40 yards to touch down after anticipating and accepting gaps in the Wakefield defence. He would have completed a hat-trick of tries but for a courageous front-on tackle by the Wakefield full-back, J. Wraith. Greengrass appreciated the firm playing surfaces encountered in England, just as he had done 12 months earlier during the World Cup tournament in that country. He was a surprise choice for the cup series, but quickly justified his inclusion and appeared in all eight fixtures on that brief tour.

Each time that Greengrass has won New Zealand honours it has been as a prop—the position where he has played almost exclusively for the Linwood club and Canterbury. But his basic speed and accurate tackling enabled him to adapt to the requirements of the second row, without meeting with any adjustment problems. In training, Greengrass appears ungainly in his running, hesitant when accepting a pass. There is a transformation in his play in the tense atmosphere of an international Rugby league match. No doubt the coaching of Mr D. L. Blanchard, whose own test career had its foundation with Linwood, has done much to develop Greengrass’s play. Throughout the tour, Mr Blanchard has urged Greengrass to seek a little more speed, and greater concentration with his handling. To the player’s credit, he has done so, and Canterbury should benefit from his progress when the provincial programme begins next season. Certainly, it would be most unfortunate if Greengrass's natural second-row talents continue to be hidden in the front row of the scrum.