Only two changes in rugby squad

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34127, 13 April 1976, Page 38

Only two changes in rugby squad

(By

JOHN BROOKS)

John Harwood, the Merivale-Papanui captain, and Steve Scott, Shirley’s vice-captain, are the only new players in the Canterbury’ senior rugby squad, which was announced yesterday.

A former English county player — he played for Southern Counties against the 1972-73 All Blacks at Oxford — Harwood is one of four locks in the squad of 23

players chosen by Messrs Stan Hill and Derek Arnold. Scott, a former South Island under-18 representative, .is in his third season as Shirley’s half-back. He gained the position as Lvn Davis’s understudy when the selectors discovered yesterday that Mark Codlin would not be returning from Papakura to play for Lincoln College this season. Of last season’s side, the only regular player to miss selection is Rick Allen, the Suburbs midfield back. His place has gone to Murray McEwan (Christchurch), who had three games at second five-eighth when Allen was injured last year. Messrs Hill and Arnold intend to leave the squad unchanged until after the match against Ireland on May 29. The All Black team to tour South Africa will be known soon afterwards, and the selectors will then have to recast their side.

The choice of four locks is surprising, as is the deci-

sion not to have a back-up hooker for Tane Norton (Linwood). Stuart Purdon (Old Boys) has gained the fourth loose forward-position, ahead of his team-rriate, Ross Mackenzie, and Ray Scott (University A).

Fergie McCormick’s successor at full-back, Doug Heffernan (University A), has held his position from the other leading contender, Richard Wilson (Christchurch). Canterbury will have two inter-provincial matches before it faces Ireland. The first will be against South Canterbury in Timaru on May 4 and the other against Marlborough in Christchurch on May 19. This will be Canterbury’s first outing in the national first division competition.

The members of the squad are:—

Forwards.— A. J. Wyllie (Glenmark), Purdon. J. K. Phillips (Linwood), S. E. G. Cron (Suburbs), D. M. Thomson (Belfast), Harwood, V. E. Stewart (Marist), B. L. Higginson (Amberley), K. J. Tanner (New Brighton), W. K. Bush (Belfast), J. C. Ashworth (Linwood), Norton.

Backs.—Davis. Scott, O. D. Bruce (Woodend), K. R. Jennings (University A), McEwan, A. C. R. Jefferd (Lincoln College), B. A. McPhail (Old Boys), T. W. Mitchell, D. J. McGuigan (both Linwood), S. C. Cartwright (Christchurch), Heffernan. Training, Rugby Park, 5.30 this evening. Advertisement.