Strong N.S. W. side likely

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33521, 30 April 1974, Page 24

Strong N.S. W. side likely

(By

J. O. COFFEY)

One of the central figures in the controversial “Battle of Brisbane” Rugby league test between Australia and Great Britain four years ago, Jim Morgan, is likely to be in lhe New South Wales Country front row for the match against Canterbury at the Show Grounds next Sunday.

Morgan, who transferred to Queanbeyan Blues after, a rugged club and representative career with Eastern Suburbs in Sydney, has far more experience in first-class football than any of the other forwards named in the country squad to play three matches in New Zealand.

If previous tours can be taken as a guide, the country officials will be keen to field their first XIII against Canterbury and Auckland, resting some of the senior players from the floodlit midweek fixture with Wellington. The other two test men in the New South Wales Country side — J. Greaves and M. Cronin — won their caps as centres and have earned regard as gifted attacking three-quarters.

i Greaves, formerly of Can-'terbury-Bankstown, in SydIney, is now coaching Campbelltown City and is probablv I nearing the end of his career. I He helped Australia to two 'test wins over the 1966 British tourists and one at the

expense of the 1967 New Zealanders.

! A contemporary' of such ! outstanding outside-backs as R. W. Gasnier, J. McDonald. |K. J. Irvine, J. King, and G. IF. Langlands, Greaves still ’managed to force his way I into four of the six inter[nationals when the Kangaroos travelled to Britain and j France in 1967-68, and he scored a try in Australia’s ! triumph in the World Cup I final against France six years ago. POTENTIAL The presence of Greaves should serve to further dev-1 elop the potential of the young Gerringong centre, Cronin, I who progressed rapidly after; having'been a surprise choice for the Australian tour of! Britain and France late last) year. Cronin was acknowledged! as one of the junior members' of the Kangaroos’ squad when he left Australia, but he took his chance eagerly and played in both tests in France, kicking a goal in his debut and adding a try' and a goal in the return match. Among those selected to; represent New South Wales! Country are four state play-! ers — B. Burke (scrum-half and captain), J. Donnelly; 1 (loose-forward), K. Thompson (a prop who was. on the corresponding trip in 1970) and P. ; Howlett (loose forward). The inside-back, L. Drew,; ; was a member of the Australian Aborigines team which [visited New Zealand last seaIson.