Wyllie praised by almanack

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33235, 26 May 1973, Page 4

Wyllie praised by almanack

The Canterbury captain, A. J. Wyllie, is not only chosen by “The Rugby Almanack of New Zealand” as one of its five players of the year—a drawing of him triumphantly holding the Ranfurly Shield aloft also adorns the cover of the 1973 edition.

The almanack said Wyllie was an obvious choice as a flanker in its team of the year, and also named him as No. 2 among the back row forwards. The publication said he played the best football of his career, proving to be a fine leader and a most constructive forward. Canterbury is hailed as the strongest side in the country by the almanack. Of this, it said, there was no doubt.

“Canterbury exhibited great depth in talent, and many of those on the fringe of selection for the first XV would have been assured of selection in any other union,” the publication said.

“Canterbury’s capture of the Ranfurly Shield was not unexpected, though its task might well have been harder had its challenge been against North Auckland; however, in the event, it defeated North Auckland as well.”

The almanack observed that Canterbury had allround strength; a strong, hard-driving pack, speedyloose forwards, quick service behind the scrum, sound inside backs, and pace and determination on the wings.

“Behind it all was a fullback whose defence was so sound and whose crashing runs so often burst open the opposing line that defence was turned into attack. McCormick was still a mighty force on the paddock, and in addition to his actual play, he contributed 122 points in his 16 matches.”

Wyllie was the only Canterbury player included in the almanack’s team of the year, but I. A. Hurst and H. H. Macdonald were named in the reserves.