RAIN, RAIN, COME TODAY... Kiwis hoping for another mud-bath to win series

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33609, 10 August 1974, Page 44

RAIN, RAIN, COME TODAY... Kiwis hoping for another mud-bath to win series

(From

J. O. COFFEY)

AUCKLAND. Watchful eyes have been cast at the weather and the major topic of conversation has been the condition of Carlaw Park as the Great Britain and New Zealand Rugby league teams have been making their final preparations for today’s deciding test of the Pall Mall series.

Such has been the contrasts in football styles shown by the Kiwis and their opponents in the two previous tests that favouritism has changed from one to the other as the skies over Auckland have clouded and then cleared during the last few days.

\ The British manager (Mr R. Parker) was heartened by news that the playing surface was quite firm early this week.

But heavy rain on Thursday night and showers yesterday morning were cause for pleasure to the New Zealanders and their coach (Mr G. Menzies).

Soft, at best More changeable weather has been forecast and the British can hope for nothing more than a soft ground. Only a little rain before the kick-off would be required for Carlaw Park again to take on the appearance of a somewhat neglected paddy field.

New Zealand, by retaining D. K. Mann ahead of the smaller and faster W. P. Gurnick, has budgeted for a muddy clash. With D. J. Gailey, J. Greengrass and J. D. Hibbs also in the pack, it is well equipped to repeat the test victory of two weeks ago. The early injury to A. P. Coll, and the need to replace him with Mann at Christchurch last Sunday, left the Kiwis with too many tight forwards and not enough pace to covef the British backs in conditions that were conducive to open football. Clawson’s last

Mann—whose age is listed in the programme as “32 or thereabouts” — should be more effective at Carlaw Park. But the British prop that he will be marking, T. Clawson, is keen to make his final test a match to remember.

The burly Clawson, aged 33, has accepted a $16,000 contract to join the South Newcastle club in New South Wales. The deal includes employment and free accommodation for his wife and family over the next three seasons.

It is probable that the tour captain, C. Hesketh, and the full-back, P. Charlton, will also be departing the inter-

national arena today and complete their careers with Australian teams.

Three changes The return of Clawson in place of the injured J. Mills was one of three changes made to the British side from that which levelled the series at Christchurch. C. Dixon has returned to the second row, allowing D. Willicombe to join L. Dyl in the centres, and J. C. Bevan has taken the left wing position from another former Welsh Rugby representative, M. C. R, Richards. Willicombe, a former Welsh junior sprint titleholder, has had only 58 minutes of football — as a substitute loose forward at Greymouth on Tuesday — since he was injured at Gosford three weeks ago. His presence will increase Britain’s speed in the backs. Varying tactics Since the Kiwis reassembled in Auckland, Mr Menzies has sought to introduce more variation into the team’s tactics. The high punting of D. A. Williams will be a greater source of danger to Britain in its efforts to handle a greasy ball, and the forwards will be seeking to progress

I wide of the play-the ball instead of by midfield barging. Britain’s intention will be to use its skilful ball control to bring its sharper-running centres, Dyl and Willicombe, into the game as often as possible. Its wings, D. Redfearn and Bevan, have yet to find a path'around, or through, E. S. Kerigan and M. P. Brereton, but they have proved effective finishers when given gaps in other tour matches.

Bevan’s master Brereton’s competitive spirit and his strength on heavy grounds proved too much for Bevan at times in the first test, and the fact that the Canterbury wing will be equalling the national record of 23 consecutive internationals — created by his manager, Mr A. X Atkinson, between 1951 and 1955 — should increase Brereton’s determination to gain the upper hand along the touchline.

The problems that Britain has met with unaccustomed refereeing interpretations are likely to continue. It takes time for an old professional to be taught new tricks and Mr J. Percival has already provided Britain with evidence of his strictness of the laws relating to scrummaging and high tackling.