Two more Sorensens reach the top in Rugby league

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33869, 14 June 1975, Page 4

Two more Sorensens reach the top in Rugby league

(By

JOHN COFFEY)

If. at some future time, the New Zealand Rugby League establishes a Hall of Fame to record the history of the code in this country, it will need to include a “Sorensen room’’ in recognition of the contribution made by the Auckland family of that name.

Most New Zealand families would be more than content to have one football star in their midst; the Sorensen galaxy can be traced back to when a vouthful utility back. 'Bill Sorensen, was chosen to tour Britain and France with the 1951 Kiwis.

Bill— now the Auckland sole selector and couch — had to wait for another two years before gaining a permanent test position, but he went on to appear in 22 full internationals and 50 other matches in a career that extended until the 1960 World Cup tournament in England.

When his younger brother, Dave, travelled to Britain and France as a stand-off half with the Kiwis in 1971, he found that he had a difficult task to live up to the reputation established by Bill on previous tours.

Nagging injuries restricted Dave Sorensen’s development in the early part of the itinerary, before he was able to show his true capabilities and win selection as a reserve for the final test in France Unfortunately, he missed the series with Britain last year because of illness and he has recently recovered from a hamstring injury.

Still only 25, Dave returned to the Auckland team as captain against France on Thursday evening and it would not surprise if he emerges as a strong contender for the second round of the international championship series later this season.

Already, however, a new generation of Sorensens has swept into prominence and it will be yet another proud da" for the family when 19-year-old Dane Sorensen makes his test debut against France at the Show Grounds tomorrow, with his 18-vear-old brother. Kurt, sitting on the reserves’ bench.

They are nephews of Bill and Dave, and sons of Peter Sorensen, who played for the North Shore and Ponsonby clubs in Auckland. Two of their cousins, Bill Sorensen jnr and Ken Anderson, have shown exceptional potential as midfield backs in their home province.

It is appropriate that Dane and Kurt Sorensen should be called into the Kiwi squad together, for the Sorensens have a habit of doing things in pairs. Dane and Bill jnr were with the New Zea'and Maoris in Papua NewGuinea in May. Dave Sorensen and Ken Anderson were team-mates for Auckland against France. Dane and Kurt assisted Auckland to eliminate the powerful Sydney club, Manly-War-ringah. from the Amco Cup knock-out. and wh ,t Mount Wellington (with Dane and Kurt in th - forwards) and Otahuhu (featuring Bill jnr and Ken Anderson as its centres) meet there is a virtual gathering of the clan.

There is a marked physical resemblance between Dane and Kurt Sorense". Only a year separates them in age. they are both sft 10m tall and Kurt, at 14st 71b. carries only a fewpounds more weight than his brother. Young as they are. they have been hardened by two previous seasons of premier Rugby league.

Dane and Kurt are also united in their opinions that one of the present national selectors, Mr Tom Newton, has done most'to help them realise their potential. He has taken an interest in their progress since they were only five years of age, guiding them up to senior schoolboys level and receiving some satisfaction when both were named in New Zealand 17-years teams.

While Kurt alternated between the backs and forwards in his junior days before settling down to specialising in the secondrow or at loose forward, Dane has transferred only from second-row to prop over the 14 years that football has occupied much of his spare time. Because the brothers live at home and work together at the Hutt Timber and Hardware Company, each has an automatic training partner. Their parents and employer have readily adjusted their time-tables to fit in with Rugby league commitments.

Dane Sorensen, as the only new-comer in the team proper and the probable first-choice goal-kick-er, will have no easy debut against France. The Kiwi forwards lacked thrust and were often slack on defence in being well beaten by Australia at Brisbane two weeks ago: Sorensen and his propping partner, John Greengrass, are obviously considered the two best-equipped men to rectify the faults.

But Dane Sorensen has a successful background with the New Zealand Maoris against Britain and at Papua New Guinea, and he was prominent in Auckland’s upset of Manly-War-ringah.

"The game with Britain was my first taste of international football and, like any player, I was a bit anxious. As the match pro-

gressed it all just seemed to come naturally and we were quite unlucky to lose. Once again, it was probably Tom Newton’s ability

to lift a team’s performance that was largely responsible.’’ he said.

“The trip to Papua New Guinea also taught me a lot and the Maoris played very well to win the Pacific Cup. I found that the game against Manly was tougher than club level Sn Auckland, but all the members of the side did their work and we came out on top,” Dane said.

Kurt agreed. “We had to be harder and quicker, especially when we were behind by 2-12. Auckland learned to cope with Manly as the game went on. Two players who made an im-

pression on me were Bob Fulton (the Kangaroo inside backi and Mai Reilly (a former British loose forward) — they had something extra.” Although Kurt was named as the under-study to the back three forwards from the Australian test, Tony Coll. Ray Baxendale and Murray Eade, he is confident that the atmosphere of being a member of the Kiwi training camp will be a further boost to his career.

New Zealand should also benefit. It is fast becoming a tradition that the Kiwis fare with more than average success when there is a Sorensen in their ranks. Two Sorensens couid only be a bonus.