COACH FOR ALL BLACKS' U.K. TOUR: Australian tests “our first priority”

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32971, 18 July 1972, Page 26

COACH FOR ALL BLACKS' U.K. TOUR: Australian tests “our first p r i or ity”

(By

J. K. BROOKS)

“I would like to think that the All Black team to play Australia in the three-test series in the next two months will form the nucleus of the New Zealand side to tour Britain and France later in the year.”

This is the view of Mr R. H. Duff, who was chosen last Friday as coach of the All Blacks for their Northern Hemisphere tour of 1972-73.

Mr Duff said he felt it was logical for him to coach the All Blacks for the internationals against Australia. “But it is over to the national selection panel to make the decision.” Mr Duff said it was essential that proper emphasis should be placed on New Zealand’s preparation for the tests against Australia. “For the moment, we must put aside thoughts of the United Kingdom tour,” he said. “The Australian tests will be our first priority. It would be an injustice not only to the Australians, but also to ourselves. if we went lightly into these games.” The Australian side, chosen at the week-end, will begin a 13-match tour of New Zealand with a game against Otago at Dunedin on August 5. The tests will be played at Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland.

Homework for U.K.

Asked if he had done his homework for the British tour, Mr Duff replied: “Yes, I have done a bit, although I did not know whether I would be sitting the examination.

“It is obvious that Rugby is much better organised in Britain than it has been in the past, and the teams we meet will offer tougher opposition. The recognition of the value of coaching has had a lot to do with this.

"It is an indication of the all-round strength of the game in Britain that England, considered the weakest of the home countries, was able to beat South Africa.” The Australian team was in line with the good standard of teams in previous years, said the convener of the national selection panel (Mr I. Vodanovich) in Wellington last evening, reports the Press Association. “There should be no apathy by New Zealanders,” he said. “Less experienced teams than this one have performed well in previous years,” “The Fairfax-Hipwell combination is one of the best I’ve ever seen,” said Mr Vodanovich. R. Fairfax will probably be paired with J. Hipwell in most of the Australians’ games, although he plays at full-back for his club side, Randwick. He played at first five-

eighths outside Hipwell in two of the Commonwealth Games fund-raising matches early this season in New Zealand. In Brisbane yesterday, fear was expressed that the Australian team would be seriously short of first class lineout jumpers on its tour, reports the Press Association. “Now that Stuart Gregory is unavailable, Australia will find clean line-out ball more difficult to win,” said Mr J. Kenny, the coach of the

Queensland team, which beat New South Wales, 24-4, in Sydney on Saturday. It was Queensland’s first victory against New South Wales since 1958.

“The second-row men, Reg Smith, Garrick Fay and Barry Stumbles, are excellent forwards, but they do not approach Gregory’s class as a line-out jumper,” said McKenny. But the Australian team should not be underrated, he said. The Wallabies might win the three-test series against the New Zealanders. “It is a good side; tone which will improve under Bob Templeton’s coaching,” he said. “Prospects bright” In Sydney, the Wallabies’ coach, Mr R. Templeton, was quoted as saying that because every player selected for the tour has had previous experience in New Zealand, Australia’s chances in the series look particularly bright.

“Everyone has played in New Zealand before,” the Sydney newspaper, the “Sun,” reported Mr Templeton as saying. “That’s going to be a telling factor, and with the backs

starting to move forward smoothly, the picture looks particularly bright.” Good backs The “Sun’s” Rugby reporter said that the Wallabies would be well served in the backs, “with the brilliant Russell Fairfax able to swap as full-back with (Arthur) McGill and as five-eighths with Geoff Richardson.” He said the large secondrow forward, Fay, of Sydney, would give the tourists a vital shot in the arm. “Fay’s 6ft sin, 17 stone frame will give the All Blacks some hurry up—providing he turns in efforts like his classic against France last month,” he added. However, the newspaper was critical of the omission of the utility back, L. Monaghan.

Stegman’s injury

The Wallaby centre, T. Stegman; will have a further medical examination this week before being cleared for the tour.

Stegman was the only player chosen who failed to satisfy the Australian Rugby Union physician, Dr G. Vanderfield, of his fitness yesterday. Stegman has his right foot in plaster after injuring the arch during a social game in Gosford a week ago. The team will assemble in Sydney on Sunday,-July 30, and leaves for New Zealand on August 1.