SHIELD CHALLENGE Poverty Bay confident

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32975, 22 July 1972, Page 42

SHIELD CHALLENGE Poverty Bay confident

(New Zealand Press Association)

WHANGAREI.

North Auckland against Poverty Bay—or as most of the supporters are looking at it, S. M. Going, the All Black vice-captain, versus I. A. Kirkpatrick, the All Black captain.

This individual battle was a big talking point in Whangarei yesterday on the Ranfurly Shield Rugby challenge match at Okara Park today.

It has added spice now that the Poverty Bay selector (Mr A. Sheehan) has switched Kirkpatrick from the back of the scrum on to the side. Going, who had to withdraw from the North Island team last Saturday because of injury, is fit and will lead the Northlanders in their attempt to stave off the second challenge of the season. North Auckland realises that Kirkpatrick is capable of inspiring his players, and the home team has a healthy regard for many of the other visitors, notably the second five-eighths, R. M. Parkinson, the centre, G. Newlands, and the full-back. W. Mabey. The two sides drew. 6-6, when they met in Gisborne last year. Poverty Bay has a dreadful Ranfurly Shield record — eight losses in eight matches —but, according to Kirkpatrick, is quietly confident. CHANGES There is one change in the North Auckland team from the side that beat Buller, 35-0. The All Black front-row forward, R. A. Guy, who did not play gainst Buller because of illness, returns, and D. Chitty drops into the reserves. Poverty Bay will field the same back-line as won against the Californians on Wednesday. But changes have been made in the forwards. Apart from Kirkpatrick

I moving back to his more ac- ; customed place on the side lof the scrum, G. Allen, who ! has played most of his repreI sentative Rugby as a lock, has been named at No. 8. I Allen gained selection in the New Zealand under-23 side a few- seasons ago in this position. and he has also played there in All Black trials. N. Tibble comes in to take Allen’s place at lock, G. Allen is preferred as the hooker to D. Walker, and Walker and K. Allen will be the forward reserves. BIG CROWD The Okara Park ground is in tip-top order, and the North Auckland Rugby Union expects a crowd of about 15,000. Teams:— North Auckland.—K. T. Goins; D. R. Panther, R, R, Jones. L. J. Bradley; J. E. Morgan, B L. Going: S. M. Going (captain); 1.. P. Haddon; B. Holmes, B. Bond, G. Phillips. J. D. Snelling. M G. Jones, P. H. Sloane. R. A. Guv. Poverty Bay.—W. Mabey; A. Peterson, G. Newlands. H. Huriwai; R. M. Parkinson. P. Martin; P. J. Duncan. G. J. Allen; I. A. Kirkpatrick (captain), W. Muir. N. Tibble. R Wade: W. McFar lane, G. R. Allen, P Smallman. The referee will be H. B. Rainey, of Wellington.