ALL BLACKS v. ULSTER TODAY Great welcome likely from Belfast crowd

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33693, 16 November 1974, Page 46

ALL BLACKS v. ULSTER TODAY Great welcome likely from Belfast crowd

(From

ROBERT HORROCKS,

N.Z.P.A. staff correspondent)

BELFAST. The one thing the All Blacks can be certain of when they run on to Ravenhill Park, Belfast, tomorrow, is a great ovation.

Regardless of the quality of the Rugby, the very- act of the New Zealanders by once again playing in troubled Belfast will win them the hearts of an expected crowd of 20,000 or more.

After three matches in Ireland the type of game likely to be encountered is beginning to look predictable.

Ulster, with only one change from the forward pack that played against the All Blacks in Belfast two years ago, looks to have the traditional Irish strength up front. With W. J. Mcßride to lead them, it could be another tough, bruising encounter. The New Zealand team, named last night after a delay of 24 hours, has S. M. Going bracketed as half-back with I. N. Stevens, and the decision on which of these two plays could have a major

bearing on how smoothly the All Blacks game will go. Going, who strained leftknee ligaments against Munster last Saturday, trained with the players at Mosney, north of Dublin. B. J. Robertson, who was injured in the same game, also took part in the session and is included in the team. Two other players, however, could not train, and were not considered for selection. The lock, P. J. Whiting, has a cut below his right knee and is limping badly, and the centre, I. A. Hurst, has a bruised right shin. Team The All Blacks captain, A. R. Leslie, and the wing, G. B. Batty, will both be playing their fourth successive games. The team is:— J. F. Karam; Batty, Robertson, T. W. Mitchell; J. E. Morgan, O. D. Bruce, S. Going or Stevens; Leslie (captain); L. G. Knight, H. H. Macdonald, J. A. Callesen, K. W. Stewart; A. J. Gardiner, G. M. Crossman, K. 3. Tanner. Reserves: R. W. Norton, K. K. Lambert, I. A. Kirkpatrick, G. N. Kane, D. J. Robertson.

Two years ago New Zealand won, 19-6, with Karam, who plays again, landing three penalties and a conversion.

It was not a tidy victory. Although having overwhelming possession from the lineouts, the All Blacks failed to

make the best use of possession—and this is a problem already evident in the 1974 side. Failure Going’s sharp service behind the New Zealand forwards can help overcome some of the shortcomings. But in two games, and an additional short period after Going’s injury, Stevens has failed to impress. The coach (Mr J. J. Stewart) will be wanting a lot better control of the ball in scrums and rucks, cleaner feed from line-outs, and closer support of forwards in the loose after Wednesday’s disappointing performance against Leinster in Dublin. His opportunities to prepare the side for such improvement have been limited. Hurst is expected to be fit before the Connaucht game next Wednesday. A number ' of the All Blacks are nursing bruises received against Leinster, and Stewart, after looking through Irish press reports critical of an over-zealous All Black

role, wryly commented: “Our blokes must be kicking themselves.”

It will be hoped that any ill feeling which may have been created does not overspill into tomorrow’s game. The welcome to Belfast suggests not.

The one forward change in the local team of two years ago is the result of a decision to drop the experienced international hooker, K. Kennedy, for I. Kidd.

Four players capped for Ireland, however remain in the pack, and they include the flankers, J. Davidson and S. McKinney. Davidson had a great game for Combined Universities at Cork, and McKinney toured South Africa with the Lions this year. So Ulster, with H. Steele, who also played for Universities, in the back of the scrum, are likely to be well served in the loose.

With I. Kirkpatrick, Whiting, and T. Norton not playing, the New Zealand pack lacks two of its best players.

Callesen will have his hands full trying to cope with Mcßride in the line-outs, and L. Knight will need to show more speed in the loose than he displayed against Universities. ■

Ulster’s weaknesses appear greatest in the backs. It has two internationals — the centre, R. Milliken, and a winger, E. Grant—but inside they are players of largely unproven worth. As was the case two years ago, Ulster’s star centre, M. G. Gibson, is out with injury, and this will seriously affect the team’s attacking ability.