DETAILS OF NEW CAPS

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33512, 18 April 1974, Page 20

DETAILS OF NEW CAPS

(NZ. Press Association)

WELLINGTON. Details of the careers of the new members of the All Blacks are:

D. J. Robertson <Otago).—Fiveeighths, aged 27. 12st 41b, sft 10in. A long-serving player for i Otago, Robertson has been kept in the background, even at provincial level, by the former All Black first five-eighths, E. Klrton and L. Jaffray. who also are from Otago. Robertson played tn his first All Black trial last year, then played for the invitation teams against the All Blacks. J. S. McLachlan (Auckland).— Wing aged 24. 12st 41b, sft Ilin. A slightly-built, hard-running wing for Auckland for several years, McLachlan has had to playin the shadow of his illustrious team-mate, B. Williams. McLachlan was thought of as one of the players called in just to make up trial teams.

J. E. Morgan (North Aucklant >. —Second five-eighths, aged 28, 12st 21b, aft lOin. Morgan has had his followers in North Auckland for many years, but national recognition always escaped him. He was one of the strong forces in the North Auckland Raniurly Shield team when it held the trophy.

L. G. Knight (Auckland).— Flanker, aged 24, 15st 121 b, 6ft 3in. Knight came on as a replacement in the late trial, and scored an opportunist try within the first three minutes. He has always been prominent in provincial Rugby, but men like Sutherland, Wyllie, and Kirkpatrick kept him out.

G. R. Kano (Waikato).—Centre and second five-eighths, aged 21, 13st 21b, 6ft. Kane has played for the New Zealand L’nder-23, Under-21 and Universities teams. He was picked to tour Australia last year with N.Z. Universities, but had to withdraw because of injury. He toured with the Juniors last year. 0. D. Bruce (Canterbury).— First five-eighths, aged 26, list 71b. sft Bin. A regular All Black trialist and a South Island player last year. Bruce was a Junior AU Black against Fiji in 1970.

B. M. Gemmell (Auckland).— Half-back, aged 23. 12st, sft Bin. The captain of the Junior All Blacks last year on the internal tour, and the master mind of the defeat of the All Blacks. Gemmell was also a Junior In 1970 (against Fiji). He Is the regular Auckland half-back.

A. R. Leslie (Wellington).—No. 8. aged 28. 14st 2lb, 6ft 2in. Considered by many critics to be long overdue for All Black selection, Leslie, an intelligent player, has had 97 successive games for Wellington, and led the Petone club to its many successes in the last few years, and on the tour of South Africa.

R. Barber (Southland).— Flanker, aged 28. 15st 41b, 6ft 2in. The star of the Maoris’ tour of the South Pacific last year, Barber Is another who gets a chance at All Black level because of the demise of Wyllie and Sutherland. He Is a hard, attacking flanker in the mould of the other Southland loose forward, K, W. Stewart.

K. A. Eveleigh (Manawatu).— Flanker, aged 26, 13st 121 b, sft Ilin. Eveleigh, after last year’s AU Black trials was a surprise selection for the North Island team, but played well. He had few games of note for Manawatu but had another good trial for a losing team yesterday.

K. J. Tanner (Canterbury,.— Prop, aged 27, 16st, 6ft 2in. Now in his ninth year of firstclass Rugby, Tanner has long been a mainstay of Canterbury Rugby, and he gained his All Black jersey after an excellent trial. One of the trial hookers was heard to say: 'Tanner was the best prop on the field.” A. J. Gardiner (Taranaki).— Prop, aged 26, 16st, 6ft lin. Gardiner is a rugged forward who has plugged away for years in provincial Rugby without reaching higher honours. Gardiner was a surprise selection in the trial teams, and an even bigger surprise for the touring party.

G. M. Crossman (Bay of Plenty).—Hooker, aged 28. 13st 81b, sft 9jln. The surprise selection as the No. 2 hooker in the team. Crossman In the last few years has been Bay of Plenty’s top hooker, but the trials were his first experience at top level. He had an even tight-head count in yesterday’s trial against Norton.

J. A Callesan (Manawatu).— Lock, aged 23, 15st 61b, 6ft Sin. S. Strahan’s locking partner in the Manawatu team, Callesen toured Australia with the Junior AU Blacks In 1972, and was with the Juniors on their Internal tour last year, opposing and beating Strahan in the lineouts in the Juniors’ win against the All Blacks. He is a regular trialist and North Island player.

W. K. Bush 'Canterbury).— Prop, aged 25, 16st 41b, 6ft lin. Bush toured Tonga, Samoa and Fiji last year with the New Zealand Maoris, and played for the two invitation teams against the All Blacks in Wellington and Auckland. A regular Canterbury renresentative, Bush was considered long overdue for national honours.