BULLER'S BID FOR SHIELD

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32957, 1 July 1972, Page 4

BULLER'S BID FOR SHIELD

Not since 1907 has a Buller team travelled so far for a Ranfurly Shield game as will B. I. Stack’s side to play North Auckland at Whangarei today. The pioneers lost to a strong Auckland team, 21-0, but, in seven subsequent matches for the major

trophy, only once has the margin in the holder’s favour been higher: when Canterbury won, 22-0, in 1954. Buller’s greatest moment nearly came in 1949 when the side captained by O. Smallholme extended Otago to a 6-6 draw. Buller scored two tries to one on that exciting occasion, but poor tactics by the inside backs in closing up play instead of passing the ball dashed hopes of an upset Buller did well to hold formidable Canterbury sides to 13-0 and 13-3 in 1932 and 1933, respectively, and there was considerable merit in the 19-3 loss in 1953. The Canterbury team contained 11 players who were, or later became, All Blacks.

Buller slipped a little in the next season but made Taranaki pull out all the stops in the mud for an 11-0 win in 1964.

Canterbury again beat Buller in 1970 by 14-5, after being behind at halftime. But, chosen from only four club teams that season, Buller surprised with its showing. A short time

later it accounted for Canterbury B in the latter’s only loss for two seasons. The standard of Rugby in the district has brightened considerably this season and the representative side has made a most encouraging start with wins against West Coast (twice) and Nelson-Bays. Much better sides have represented those two areas in the past, but the nature of Buller’s successes was pleasing. However, it will be a tougher struggle at Whangarei today, with Buller likely to encounter a brand of Rugby with which they have had little experience in the past. There will be great reliance placed on older players such as the 37-year-old O. H. Nahr, J. W. Halsall, M. J. Syron and C. A. Fussell in the pack and Stack, the 1966-67 South Island wing, who will lead the team. But Buller also has a trio of very promising backs, J. Gilbert (half), B, R. Morgan (second five-eighths) and A. R. Moseley (centre), who could please the northern crowd.

In its present good spirit, Buller should not be disgraced in this severe test of its ability. A heavy ground will help a lot.