N.Z.’s rugby future strong

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34132, 20 April 1976, Page 21

N.Z.’s rugby future strong

There need he no fear about New Zealand's future rugby strength, said Mr R. C. Stuart at the conclusion of the College for 120 of the country's mo>l promising voting players. ‘

Mr Stuart was the course director and was assisted by a panel of 16 leading coaches from various parts of the country, including six from Canterbury. This is the fourth year that the school has been held and Mr Stuart said that while the talent was the equal of previous years, the attitudes and enthusiasm of the bovs were better than ever. The improvement shown by’ the players in only 48 hours was quite remarkable, he said, and there were a number. particularly in the backs, who had revealed outstanding ability. The players, all under 19 on April I. were put through a testing programme and many admitted to being both mentally and physically exhausted at the finish, said Mr Stuart. But all were thankful for the opportunity and the only problem encountered vas in players aggravating

t old injuries: injuries which! they had ignored in their! > keenness to take part. : Mr Stuart said the New! 1 Zealand union was very! .happy with the way the ' coaching school was working 1 and the benefits were being 5 1 felt by the coaches as well 'as the players. , Already the school has! produced an All Black—the . Wanganui centre Bill Osj borne—and Mr Stuart be’jlieves there will be plenty more m the near future. This 'I year a survey is to be done ; to trace the careers of the ’ boys who have gone through j the school. ti Golf.—A one under par 69 put J New Zealand's Bob Charles in J joint sixth position after three .(rounds of the Tallahassee open , golf tournament. With his ‘I earlier rounds of 68 and 74. *! Charles’s aggregate of 211 makes 1 him the top foreign challenger* > at this stage