McEWAN JOINS STAR BACK-LINE

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32874, 24 March 1972, Page 20

McEWAN JOINS STAR BACK-LINE

M. R. McEwan will be the envy of all other young footballers in Christchurch on April 9.

On that day he will be linked with three of the most celebrated backs in world Rugby— C. M. H. Gibson (Ireland), P. Tikoisuva (Fiji), and B. G. Williams (New Zealand) — to form the three-quar-ter line in the Cahtabrians team which is to play Canterbury in a match to aid the Commonwealth Games fund.

McEwan (Christchurch club), who made a solitary

appearance for Canterbury two years ago, has been chosen to partner the brilliant Gibson in midfield.

It is not known whether the Cantabrians will adopt the left and right centre formation, but McEwan will fit in with any plan. Normally a five-eighths, he is also a competent centre. As well as Gibson and Tikoisuva, the Cantabrians XV will include the South African flankers, 3. H. Ellis and P. 3. Grayling, and the Australian half-back. J. N. B. Hipwell. Efforts to secure the services of the French full-back, P. Villepreux, were abandoned yesterday. He did not reply to any of the cables sent from New Zealand. CONTRIBUTION As a Contribution to the Games fund, the New Zealand Rugby Union will pay the fares and accommodation

costs of the five overseas players. They will be in New Zealand for two weeks, during which time they will play for the Barbarians and the Centurions, as well as the Cantabrians. A former Ail Black hooker, J. N. Creighton, will emerge from a three-year retirement to pit his skills against the 1971 New Zealand hooker, R. W. Norton.

Creighton is a member of the Cantabrians* committee, and. according to his colleague, Mr P. V. Kearney, has kept himself in fine trim

since his departure from firstclass football. Other All Blacks in the side are the prop, K. Murdoch (Otago), and the lock, S. C. Strahan (Manawatu). The team is:-— E. S. Taylor (Otego); Tikoisuva. McEwan, Gibson, Williams; J. P. Dougan (Wellington); Hipwell; K W. Stewart (Southland); Greyling, Strahan, F. J. Oliver (Southland), Ellis; Murdoch, Creighton, J. W. Joseph (Marlborough). 1 H. Penrose, captain of Canterbury until last year, is the only reserve named so far. The captain has yet to be chosen. The referee will be Canterbury'* Ko. 1, Mr A. R. Taylor.