Newcomers in Town Rugby squad

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33534, 15 May 1974, Page 26

Newcomers in Town Rugby squad

The Canterbury Rugby selectors (Mr P. D. Clark and Dr D. S. Hart) have shown an interest in new talent in their first assignment for the season — the squad from which the Town team to play Country on June 3 will be chosen.

In the squad of 22 have been included seven players with little or no experience in first-class Rugby. To fill the gaps in the front-row created by the absence of the All Blacks, K. J. Tanner and W. K. Bush, the selectors have named J. C. Ashworth (Linwood), M. Cron (Suburbs) and F. Townsend (Christchurch). Ashworth, who was in last year’s winning Town pack, was an expected choice, and it will be interesting to see whether it is Cron, a young player of much promise, or Townsend, a solid scrummager who has served his club well for several years, who will pack down with

Ashworth against what is certain to be a very strong Country front-row. BRIGHT FUTURE D. Thompson, the Belfast lock whose reputation has remained intact in spite of his team’s recent dismal performances, is another selection who looks to have a bright future.

The only other point of interest >n the forwards is the choice of D. Hart (University B) as understudy to the University A hooker, J. E. Black. Hart, a son of Dr Hart, has played for Otago B. In the backs, the University A pair, K. J. Jennings and D. Faulkner, have earned places with good displays this season, as also has the Christchurch wing, B. Hodge: Jennings, in the meantime, seems to have headed off another young first five-eighths with a fine reputation, P. E. McEwan (Christchurch). ANDERSON RETURNS Competing with Hodge for the vacancy on the wing is likely to be the Shirley speedster, G. Anderson, who had two games for Canterbury in 1972 before being unavailable. The squad is:—

Backs: W. F. McCormick (Linwood), T. W. Mitchell (Linwood), Hedge, Anderson, B. A. McPhail (Old Boys), Faulkner, Jennings, B. N. Stewart (Marist), K. Lawler (Marist), L. J. Davis (Suburbs). Forwards: S. I. Purdon (Old Boys), S, E. G. Cron (Suburbs), R. C. Scott (University A), J. K. Phillips (Linwood), D. Rowe (Linwood), V. E. Stewart (Marist), Thompson, M. Cron, Townsend, Ashworth, Black, Hart.