Papanui in quest of fifth successive championship

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33791, 13 March 1975, Page 12

Papanui in quest of fifth successive championship

(By

JOHN COFFEY)

The comparatively light transfer traffic between Canterbury Rugby league clubs during the summer months, and the few retirements that have been announced, suggest that there are unlikely to be any marked changes in the balance of power during the 1975 premiership and championship. Papanui, the winner of the provincial title for each of the last four seasons, is once again the logical favourite to take the major trophies. . The losses of Frank Mill-

ward and Kevin Carey to Marist-Western Suburbs and Danny Millward to Kaiapoi should be balanced by the club’s junior strength and the signing of Jim McClelland, a Rugby union wing or centre from North Otago. Ken Wakelin is a doubtful starter, but Garry Taie has recovered from his leg injury and Rod Walker, Eddie Kerrigan, Kevin Williams and Mark Broadhurst should provide plenty of problems for opposing sides. Two of Linwood’s very promising three-qua<ters, Robin Turner (injured) and Cliff Leney (other committments), and the forwards, Peter Hall and Tom Heslop — both in the North Island — have dropped out of the squad of the 1974 runner-up.

However, Doug Wells has returned from England and has the chance to develop the potential Le showed at full-back two years ago, and Rex Dal-

zell, John Greengrass, Paui Jones, Paul Truscott, Lester Wilson, Lou Hudson and Wally Wilson have the combined talent to ensure the Keas of further prominence.

As with Papanui and Linwood, ChristchurchEastern Suburbs is lo >king to its lower grades to fill any vacancies. Graeme Cooksley has taken over the coaching role, and ekpects that the tour to New South Wales by the Canterbury 19-years team

last August will have been of considerable benefit to Stewart McLaughlin, Barrv Edkins and John Wesley. Eastern will once more have an attractive backline, including Bruce Dmkison, Bruce Murphy, Dean Harris, Leon Paskell and Murray French as well as Cooksley.

Sydenham will be without the services of John Jones, a fine prop who has gone back to Australia, and it is unlikelv that Joe Chamberlain will make a second trip from England to this country. Barrv Bigwood continues his term as the club’s player-coach, and Steve Holden and Stewart Hogg should have leading roles in Sydenham’s bid for another tilt at the championship. Little change is likely in the Addington squad, in contrast to the line-up of Marist-Western Suburbs, which it beat for the Gore Cup a season ago. Frank Millward and Carey have linked up with Marist from Papanui, Wayne Beri, Athol Johnston and possibly Neil Beri have transferred back from Riccarton and John Rothwell is resurrfing after a year’s rest. Barry Dobbs, Eddie Brown, Rod MacKenzie and Mita Mohi have retired, but Marist should be well served by Mocky Brereton,

Michael O’Donnell (who has an aggregate of 733 points since 1970), Stefan Hatipov, Grant Findlay and the young outside backs, Bernie Jenkins and Hal October. Kaiapoi has gained Bob Irvine from Marist as its captain-coach, and also Danny Millward and two Woolston backs, Charles Paki and Charles Smith. Sonny Rolleston has rejoined the club after a season with Shirley, Fred Lawrence is likely to again

be the spearhead of its attacks after a softball leg injury has healed and Kaiapoi’s former coach, Randal Turton, has moved on to Riccarton. The absence of Smith and Paki is the most notable feature of Woolston's squad. Hornby, seeking to regain premier status, has bolstered its pack by the addition of the West Coast representative, Gary Moore, and an Australian prop, Laurie Bueller, from Queanbeyan. Bueller was recommended to Hornby by the former Kiwi utility back, Roger Tait. Hornby's opponents in the qualifying round will probably be Riccarton (which is without the Beri frothers and Johnston), University-United (virtually unchanged from last seasin) and Halswell (which has Brian McDonald from Marist and Hemi Petersen and Dick Dudley from Eastern). Shirley, with Sam ” McLean guiding the first •, XIII in place of Rolleston, > is the other claimant for ! qualifying consideration. • It will be a very long • programme for the leading ! players. A provincial trial • is planned under ‘ floodlights later this ’ month, the club com- » petition begins on April 5 J and the first inter-provin- , cial fixture is against Wei- i lington at Porirua two ’ weeks later.