Stirling to miss Kiwis’ match

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32941, 13 June 1972, Page 32

Stirling to miss Kiwis’ match

The broken nose suffered by the test scrum-half, K. L. Stirling, while playing for Auckland against Queensland, will prevent the New Zealand Rugby league coach (Mr D. L. Blanchard) from using his complete firstchoice XIII for the match with the South Island at the Show Grounds on Saturday.

Stirling is unlikely to play again until the Kiwis leave for Australia early next month. He broke his nose in the first half of the game at Auckland last Sunday, and was left with double vision when he aggravated the injury and had to retire soon after the resumption. He will therefore be unable to take his place behind the scrum base for the Kiwis against South Island on Saturday, North Island at Wellington the following day, and for New Zealand against The Rest in the final tour trial on June 24. However, Mr Blanchard said yesterday that Stirling would still be considered for selection. His magnificent displays in Britain and France should ensure that he is included among the 18 players to take part in two tests and one other fixture across the Tasman. It has not yet been decided whether a replacement for Stirling will be added to the

Kiwi squad. If Mr Blanchard and the other members of the national panel (Messrs D, A. Barchard and T. H. Hardwick) consider this necessary, the logical move would be to promote D. S. Dowsett (Auckland) from the North Island XIII. Originally, Mr Blanchard planned to field his strongest side at the Show Grounds, the back line comprising J. A. Whittaker (Wellington), M. P. Brereton (Canterbury), F. R. Christian (Auckland), D. A Williams (Auckland), P. C. Orchard (Wellington), D. Sorensen (Auckland), and Stirling. The likely forward pack will be J. Greengrass (Canterbury), J. H. Fisher (Canterbury), D. J. Gailey (Auckland), W. G. Deacon (Waikato), G. M. J. Smith (Wellington), and A. P. Kriletich (Auckland).. This would leave J. C. O’Sullivan (Auckland), G. R. Cooksley (Canterbury), R. I. Orchard (Auckland), and M. K. Eade (Auckland) as the reserves.