KARAM AT CROSS-ROADS

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34104, 17 March 1976, Page 18

KARAM AT CROSS-ROADS

Certainly, Karam will no longer have the reassurance that he can retreat into his 22-metres area and punt the ball well over the touch-line, nor can he simply force down over his own try-line and expect his team to be awarded a drop-out 22 metres upfield. But in other aspects, rugby union laws have come closer to those of rugby league and full-backs these days are expected to be more than just the last men in the defensive chain. The former All Black also has the comfort of knowing that his Australian counter-part, Russell Fairfax, was an instant success when he turned professional. The basic fundamentals of backs have many similarities in the two variations of the rugby game, and Karam will adjust far more quickly than his former All Black ' team-mate, Graham Whiting.

It is quite conceivable that Karam will be seen in Christchurch later this year, if all goes according to plan. First, Canterbury must win the southern section of the national Rothmans championship, and thus earn the right to defend its title on its home playing field; Auckland has

to eliminate the central winner; and Karam has to impress the Auckland selector-coach, Mr Bill Sorensen.

Karam's task of gaining first-class honours in his initial season of rugby league has been lightened by the transfer of the regular Auckland and New Zealand full-back. Warren Collicoat, to Wellington. He has joined the Porirua City club as its player-coach, leaving no obvious successor for the No. 1 jersey in Auckland.

Glenora has been one of the more modestlyperformed clubs in Auckland during the last few years, and in 1975 finished seventh of the eight sides in the premiership. In the subsequent Roope Rooster kn o c k-out tournament,’ Glenora beat Maritime before being eliminated by another senior division team, Te Atatu. It is unlikely, then, that Karam will have the massive forward protection to which he might have become accustomed. Many of the Glenora supporters, conscious of the considerable financial outlay involved in gaining his services, will expect football miracles from their newcomer.

The Glenora officials probably feel that, barring injuries, they have put their money on a certainty. Karam has won acclaim throughout the rugby union world as a player of exceptional ability, and it would be unthinkable that he fails at rugby league. The so-far unanswered question is just how much of an impact can he make.