League overtures to All Blacks

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33121, 11 January 1973, Page 16

League overtures to All Blacks

(From J. K. BROOKS, N.Z.P.A. special correspondent)

NEWPORT.

The AU Black prop, K. Murdoch, believed to be in Australia, has been offered $A20,000 to play Rugby league in Sydney —and an Australian scout was at Twickenham last Saturday to look over the All Black talent on display.

This is the latest development in the league code, in the wake of the All Blacks’ continued success in the internationals in Britain.

The scout, who declined to be named, told the N.Z.P.A. at Newport yesterday that he thought the All Black captain, I. A. Kirkpatrick, and the vice-captain, S. M. Going,

would be big successes in Rugby league. He also showed interest in the team’s wings, B. G. Williams and G. B. Batty, although he felt that Williams would be best suited to the position of full-back in league. However, it is unlikely that anything will come of the scout’s visit. He had power only to recommend players, he said, not to negotiate with them over signingon fees and side benefits. In jocular conversation with Kirkpatrick, the scout offered him “half Manly j beach, a new house, and two trams,” to turn to league. The scout, who said he was acting for Manly, said he believed Kirkpatrick would make a great second-row player in league because of his speed and strength, and

that Going would be an ideal convert to league “because he is so quick with his hands, can cover well, and has tons of heart.”

Major clubs in the multimillion dollar league business in Sydney would probably go ar: high as $50,000 dollars for either man, he said. However, neither player gave the scout any cause for encouragement. Both are farmers; and in addition, Kirkpatrick will be married in March.

The scout said he did not think Williams was fast enough for a league wing, but would make an ideal fullback because of his kicking ability and his coolness and competence in all situations. Williams has had previous approaches from league clubs, but has elected to remain with the Union code.

Batty, the scout said, was an interesting prospect, but probably too small to make the grade in league. This did not deter the scout from mak-

ing a feeler, but he was again doomed to disappointment. Murdoch, according to the scout, has been approached in the Northern Territory with an offer by Manly to turn to league. It is believed that Eastern Suburbs, Penrith, and Western Suburbs are also interested, and if Murdoch was interested, and had

a good lawyer in his comer, the price could go consider-; ably higher. Before leaving Birmingham on his way home, Murdoch told fellow All Blacks that he might have a try at league. • Apart from Kirkpatrick, the forwards at Twickenham who impressed the scout i most as possible league play-i

ers were A. R. Sutherland and A. J. Wylie — but he said he thought they were probably too steeped in Rugby to make a switch. No further medical report has yet been received on the injured prop, J. D. Matheson, who in the meantime is staying in London at the expense of the four Home Unions. Since his release from hospital in Edinburgh, Matheson has been in London under the care of his wife, who is a qualified nurse. The All Blacks manager (Mr E. L. Todd) said yesterday that Matheson is still in no fit state to travel. “The trip to Twickenham in the bus to watch the test shook him up,” he said. "It would be folly to think of subjecting him to an air trip at this i stage.”