LONG OVERDUE RUGBY SUCCESS North Islanders key men in South’s challenge

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33253, 16 June 1973, Page 48

LONG OVERDUE RUGBY SUCCESS North Islanders key men in South’s challenge

(From

J. K. BROOKS)

WHANGAREL Four North Island Rugby products might help South Island achieve an overdue victory in the annual Rugby match at Okara Park this afternoon.

North has won eight of the last nine encounters but there I are indications that the tables might be turned in the sixty-fifth j game of the series — the first to be played in North Auckland.

Much will depend on the performances of the former Northlander, H. H. Macdonald, the Hawke’s Bay product, W. K. Bush, and N. A. M. Pickrang and T. G. Morrison, who learned their football in the Waikato.

The South coach, Mr R. H. Duff, said yesterday that his side would give North a run but its prospects of winning depended to a large extent on the amount of ball its forwards won, particularly in the line-outs. Tall specialists Macdonald will be the key figure in this exercise, for North has the services of the two 6ft 6in Auckland specialists, P. J. Whiting and A. M. Haden, as well as another good jumper in L. G. Knight, who will be stationed at six or seven. Haden does not get off the ground nearly as well as Whiting, and a spirited performance by Macdonald at three for South would nullify part of North’s anticipated supply of ball. If Bush can carry on where he left off for the Maoris on their South Pacific tour, South should gain an edge in the scrums and rucks. Pickrang’s goal - kicking ability and Morrison’s blinding speed on the left wing

would then become decidedly valuable assets. North has three potential match-winners in its backline—S. M. Going. G. B. Batty and J. F. Karam. Going, on his home ground, will be especially dangerous, but South’s youthful flanker, K. W. Stewart, is in such outstanding form that the nuggety half-back might find his opportunities severely curtailed. South’s chances were enhanced by the extraordinary selection of M. G. Hepple (North Auckland) as North’s centre. Last season, the English-born Hepple was in his provincial squad from start to finish but was not given a game because of his reluctance to tackle. In the All Black trials,

D. A. Hales ran past Hepple repeatedly, and if South’s centre today, D. V. Colling, can capitalise on this weakness, the speed of Morrison —one of the country’s top sprinters—and the other South wing, B. A. Hunter, could be conclusive. Hurst’s big role Pickrang, a strong runner and faster over the ground than Karam, might be a valuable extra attacker—as long as his timing of the pass improves. North left out the constructive M. Sayers (Wellington) and chose instead a sharp attacker in R. M. Parkinson at second five-eighths. But Parkinson will not be allowed any freedom by the sure-tackling I. A. Hurst. While the omission of D. J. Robertson (Otago) from the South team is to be regretted, 0. D, Bruce should serve the side capably at first fiveeighths, particularly if his kicking reaches his customary high standard.

Forward strength North Auckland has had heavy rain on two days this week but Okara Park is in good condition, although there it a little give on the surface. This should suit South’s forwards who, on paper at least, appear to hold an advantage. Bush, L. A. Clark and R. W. Norton—who has thrown off the effects of his recent illness remarkably well—form a strong front row, and there is a formidable look about the loose forwards, A. J. Wyllie, A. R. Sutherland, and Stewart.

North has a good core of tight forwards but the playing of Knight out of position might prove to be a mistake. The diminutive flanker, K. A. Eveleigh, seems a little out of his class in this company. Not the least interesting aspect of the game will be the roles played by the respective captains, Wyllie and I. A. Kirkpatrick. There is a suspicion that Wyllie might prove to be the more capable leader in what should prove to be a tough and tense encounter. North.—Karam; Batty, Hepple. K. R. Carrington; Parkinson, E. S. Mcßobbie; Going; Knight; Kirkpatrick, Haden, Whiting. Eveleigh; M. G. Jones, P. H. Sloane, K. K. Lambert.

South.—Pickrang; Hunter, D. Colling, Morrison; Hurst, Bruce; G. L. Colling; Sutherland; Wyliie, Macdonald, G. E. Seear, Stewart; Bush. Norton, Clark.