Williams, Batty to dash

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33235, 26 May 1973, Page 48

Williams, Batty to dash

(N.Z. Press Association AUCKLAND. Bryan Williams will have i his chance to silence his i many critics today when he marks his 1972-73 All Black team-mate, Grant Batty. This head-on clash could well decide the outcome of the Wellington-Auckland encounter at Eden Park. It was thought that the Auckland coach (Mr Eric ! Boggs) might oppose Batty with the strong tackling. ■ John McLachlan for Auck- , land's first of season representative fixture, but he has gone for Williams instead because McLachlan will mark Graham Wallis on the other wing. “I didn’t concern myself with the way the Wellington team will line-up,” said Mr Boggs today. "1 selected the Auckland players in the positions that I considered they would perform best.” Wellington looked impressive yesterday at training and it has 13 of the 15 players who beat Auckland. 28-6. last year, but Auckland looks to have more weight and height. The weather forecast for today is for fine weather with light winds, so if Eden Park, which was slippery earlier dries out. conditions should be perfect. The teams are:— Wellington: J. F. Karam; G. B. Batty, M. Sayers, G. It. Wallb; R. S. Cleland. J. P. Dougan: 1 N. Stevens: A. R. Leslie; X. B Hawkins, D. W. Martin, D. M Waller, G. H. Senior: A E. Keown. K. S. Jones, G. A. Head.

Auckland; R. D. Whatman; B G. Williams, W. F. Gascoigne J S. McLachlan; K. R. Carrington J. A. Murray; B. M. Gemmell; P V. Carroll; L. G. Knight. P. J Whiting, A. M. Haden. C. .1. Read; G. P. Denholm, A. B. Hathaw’ay, P. A. Lindesay.