Senior teams in fine fettle

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34105, 18 March 1976, Page 15

Senior teams in fine fettle

Senior rugby teams have responded enthusiastically to the call for early fitness this year, and the champion side, Christchurch. can expect stem opposition in its bid to retain the Canterbury Savings Bank Trophy.

Christchurch has fashioned an outstanding record of success in the seventies, winning the senior competition in three of the last four seasons and being joint champion in each of the two preceding years.

But the loss, through injury, of its gifted first fiveeighths, Paul McEwan, and problems over filling the locking positions might reduce the chances of the team finishing on top once again.

Its rivals are in the throes of exhaustive club trials and pre-season training, and the indications are that competition for places in the top four will be the most intense for many seasons.

As an indication of the zeal with which senior teams are approaching the season, one of the lower placed sides of 1975, Merivale/Papanui, held a training camp at Hororata last week-end and benefitted from the advice of Dr J. D. Stewart, whose success with Canterbury sides made him a coach of high standing. Christchurch, Linwood, Suburbs and Marist emerged as the leading four teams last season, and

all will be at pains to fight off the anticipated challenges from the other 12 teams.

The contests for the C.S.B. Trophy and D.C.L. Shield will follow the same format as last year, with first round matches being played on April 3. As well as losing Paul McEwan, Christchurch has been robbed of the services of the All Black trialist, Ricky Knight (now in Masterton) and the promising lock, Lindsay Sturt (in Wellington). There is doubt over the availability of Peter Coleman, and yet another lock, Wayne Risman, has linked up with Waihora.

Joe Hanna, the centre, had a cartilage removed recently, and he will be a late starter. Consequently, the first few weeks of the club season might be difficult for Jerry Rowberry and his men. Linwood will have a familiar look about it, especially as Fergie McCormick is likely to continue his long run of outstanding service at full-back. Other stalwarts such as Brent Elder, Gary Cron and Peter Jellyman are in training, and lan Mallard is the likely captain — a wise move, for Tane Norton is almost certain to be off to South Africa in June. Suburbs would be overjoyed — and not greatly inconvenienced — if Lyn Davis received a similar invitation, as the team has a good second-string halfback in Phil Thomas. The team has lost John Fleming, Jim Findlater, Bob Bennett and Owen Foskett, all of whom have

transferred, and the injurydogged Graham Sims will be on the side-line for some time.

But Suburbs has gained lan Willis, who has hooked for Otago B, and Wally Argus, a son of the renowned Canterbury and All Black wing of the same name. Argus, jun., has been in Britain for two years but previously represented Canterbury in several lower grade teams. Suburbs has high hopes, too, for John Neilson, a first fiveeighths who has risen through the grades.

Marist has lost its fine wing prospect, Gary Hooper, through a serious elbow injury received while playing cricket. John Corby is also injured, and Peter Gill has gone to Dunedin. But the side has good prospects, with Vance Stewart, Kevin Lawler and Bernie Stewart likely to play the dominant roles. Wayne Paulin, Shirley’s remarkable scorer, has re-

tired, Mark Abbott has gone overseas, and Frank Jack will be out for eight weeks with a broken wrist. But the team will welcome the reappearance of its swift wing, Grant Anderson, who missed last season because of injury, and the centre, Nigel Image, back from Britain. Lindsay Thorn, the first five-eighths, who broke his leg last season, is back in training, and the club has gained Les Halsall, a sturdy and reliable utility back who has played for Buller and West Coast. The Old Boys team, which will leave for a short visit to Australia next week, will again have a back-line of exciting potential and an improved pack, with the return of the accomplished flanker, Ross McKenzie. He played for Scotland B and captained Middlesex during four years in Britain. Unfortunately, Bill Lee, an industrious forward

who has played for Lincoln College, Oxford and Canterbury B, dislocated a shoulder in a friendly game recently, and will miss the first part of the season.

Although it will probably lose its champion forward, Bill Bush, to the All Blacks, Belfast is certain to field a formidable pack. Its efficient back-line, and the scoring potential of the utility player, Peter Sheehan, wHI make the side a strong candidate for a top place. Albion has lost Alan Kerr, an admirable No. 8 who has been transferred, and Owen Broomhall (wing), who has decided to take a season’s rest. But Mike Eagle will return to the fray, and keen interest will be shown in the development of two promising, players, Murray Davie (prop) and lan Mather (wing).

Lincoln College should be strong, especially as Mark Codlin and Andy Jefferd have spumed the chance to move further afield. The University teams will also offer bold challenges with the accent on swift movement of the ball. Bill Lewis’s return from Britain has given the club two Canterbury fullbacks — Doug Heffernan is the other — and they might prove to be the chief candidates for the provincial position this season.

University has also gained Peter Cook, last year’s Manawatu half-back. Hornby and Burnside, the two most recent sides to achieve senior status, have had a hard battle so far but are now reaching the stage when senior experience is beginning to pay dividends. Sydenham has lost Roger Queree, Steve Greenman and Tony Smith, all of whom have retired, and Roger Whitfield, who has moved to Wellington. But gains include Rod Cameron, a flanker from Tauranga, Mike Williams, a goal-kicking three-quarter from Shirley, Dallas Jo-

seph, a prop from Albion, and Eni Telapuse. who played No. 8 for Western Samoa against Tonga last year.

Maurice Pepper will be back at half-back for Sydenham, and his replacement last season, Bruce Stewart, has transferred to Merivale-Papanui. Other newcomers include Ross Cameron and Steve Bamden, both flankers, and Phil Gass, Paul Grey and Paul Hammond, all five-eighths. Pat McManus, a first fiveeighths last season, has transferred.

New Brighton should have much the same side, with Brian Lloyd bursting with fitness as the result of his recent fine form in the national rowing finals. Bill Grogan, the goal-kick-ing wing, is a probable loss to Old Boys.