Dyl is Englishman Kiwis most have to fear

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33875, 21 June 1975, Page 48

Dyl is Englishman Kiwis most have to fear

(From JOHN COFFEY) AUCKLAND. Memories of the part played by the England centre, Les Dyl. in depriving the Kiwis of a series victory 12 months ago were still vivid in the New Zealand camp on the eve of the international Rugby league championship fixture at Car law Park today.

Dyl, virtually an unknown in a star-studded Leeds back-line when he arrived in Australia with the British side last season, soon launched his bid for a permanent test position. He developed into the top try-scorer and most thrustfull of the three-quarters by the I time the New Zealand itinerary was completed. The Kiwi coach (Mr George Menzies) has no hesitation in naming Dyl as the man most likely to trouble his side this afternoon. The 22-year-old Dyl will probably be even more evasive and speedy on this occasion, for administrators are confident that Carlaw Park will offer a sound footing.

Mr Alex Murphy, the ebullient England coach, has made no secret that his players have been instructed to move possession to the flanks whenever possible. That is where England’s potential match-winners await, for the traditional British pack power has been diminished to some extent because of the loss of Welsh-born forwards. The Kiwi outside backs will need to follow to the letter their orders to repeat the dedicated tackling that subdued the French at the Show Grounds last Sunday.

In doing so, they cannot place overmuch emphasis on containing Dyl, for his fel-low-centre, John Walsh, and the wings. John Atkinson and Keith Fielding, are no! tyros in this class of foot-’ ball.

All four were among the scorers when England disposed of North Island Country at Huntly on Wednesday, and in view of the pace that Fielding is able to muster, and the reputation as a finisher of movements that Atkinson has earned since the 1968 World Cup, it was heartening to note that the; Kiwis’ defence held firm from side-line to side-line! six days ago. The absence of Roger Mill-1 ward might well prove ai blessing in disguise for England. His replacement, Ken Gill, was an admirable substitute in the 1974 British side. He gives greater consideration to the needs of his three-quarters than does Millward, who is more inclined to rely on his own

I ability to create gaps before looking for support. John O’Sullivan has the hardest task of the Kiwi backs. While it must be expected that Ken Stirling will harass Steve Nash around the scrum-base and Bob Jarvis will have even more; confidence in his second full’ international, O’Sullivan has i had quite a few dis-' appointments with his form in nine- previous tests. He will need to be at his vflryj best to prevent Dyl from! carrying on where he left off, last year. Although not a command-1 ing or fearsome bunch, the' England forwards can be re-1 lied on to make few errors.' If one is to split the Kiwi! line more often than his fel- ■ lows, then it will probably be Eric Chisnail, who usedl

i his height and poundage with telling effect against ! Australia a year ago. i But the New Zealand • frontal offensive was most I impressive when France was I beaten, and if Dane Soreni sen, John Greengrass, and ! Murray Eade can return I [their own high standards of[ ; i distribution, Tony Coll, Ray[ - Baxendale. and Tom Conroy i i should be able to force the; ■ I England cover to stay close ■[to the play-the-balls. i[ This would allow the Kiwi! '[backs more leeway. Stirling: [has bobbed under many a [misdirected tackle during his[

I career, Dennis Williams is | another who will demand respect, and John Whittaker ■ has the capacity to force ‘gaps from full-back. Australia is an odds-pn-j 1 favourite to beat France at; Brisbane today and go to a formidable lead in the chain-! pionship series. Australia beat New Zealand, 36-8, and the Kiwis; then outclassed France, 27-0. ‘