League’s ‘Batty’ gets his chance today

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33611, 13 August 1974, Page 24

League’s ‘Batty’ gets his chance today

(From J. 0. COFFEY) AUCKLAND. One of the smallest men in representative Rugby league, L. W. Hall, will have the most spectator support when he takes his place on the Auckland wing for the match against Great Britain at Carlaw Park today.

Hall, aged 25, has made an auspicious return to first-class football after missing the early part of the season because of a transfer dispute with his Ellerslie club.

The sft 4|in, lOst 101 b Hall was missing from the Auckland sides which lost to New South Wales Country, Brisbane, and Western Division, and resumed at club level about the time that Auckland regained winning form with a 23-0 victory over Canterbury. KERRIGAN PREFERRED Last month Hall signalled his return with two tries against North Island Country and four touch-downs at West Coast’s expense. There was some criticism in the north that E. S. Kerrigan, of Canterbury, should be preferred ahead of Hall for the tests against Britain, although Kerrigan subsequently justified the selectors’ decision. Hall now has his chance to prove that he is capable of furthering his reputation against a team of international quality and a defence that—like Auckland’s —has not conceded a try in three games. LIKE ALL BLACK Comparisons between Hall and the All Black wing, G. B. Batty, are inevitable because of their similar physique. It is said that Hall might just be a little quicker than his Wellington counter-part, although he does not match Batty for strength in the chest and shoulders, and has only recently shown a determination to reach the top in his code. Unfortunately, Hall’s opportunities, like those of the test wings, Kerrigan and M. P. Brereton, will probably be limited by unfavourable playing conditions. Auckland must be conceded a strong chance of

beating the tourists in a match that can be nothing else but an anti-climax to Britain after the tests, and on the eve of departure for home. WILLIAMS AT CENTRE D. A. Williams has been chosen alongside J. C. O’Sullivan in the centres. He had-little more to do than pass and kick on the fourth tackles as New Zealand’s stand-off half, and only displayed his known verve on attack when moved to inside centre late in the third test. The former Kiwi loose forward, A. P. Kriletich, has been called in to prop the Auckland scrum, and the pack also includes the international trio, D. K. Mann, W. R. Robertson, and M. K. Eade.

The only regret is that W. J. E. Burgoyne has again had his hooking talents ignored. B. J. Donnelly will have a difficult task playing as well as Burgoyne did in the first test and for New Zealand Maoris. CAPTAIN RESTED Britain has made only two changes from the team which completed Saturday’s serieswinning fixture against the Kiwis. The captain (C. Hesketb) has been rested among the reserves, J. Butler taking over at stand-off half, and K. Ashcroft joins the forwards instead of W. Ramsey. Ashcroft spent an hour or so on Sunday watching a television replay of his Warrington club’s championship final win against St Helens, deriving particular amusement from the manner he was able to use a loose arm when hooking. He did so

with impunity from the lenient referee, but similar tactics today might cost Britain points and penalties from Mr R. Cooper, of Huntly.

Great Britain.—D. Willicombe; D. Redfearn, C. Dixon. L Dyl, J. Bevan; Butler. A. Bates; T. Clawson. Ashcroft, J. Thompson; J. Gray. E. Chisnall; G. Nicholls. Reserves: C. Hesketh. R. Millward.

The Auckland team will be chosen from.—W Collicoat. L. Hail, J O’Sullivan, Williams, C. Andrews, G. Smith. K. Stirling,. D. Mann. Donnelly, Kriletitch, T. Conroy. Robertson Eade. R. Jarvis. B. Dyer, P. Gurnich. D. Gailey