Confidence vital to Canterbury

Press, 14 August 1976, Page 52

Confidence vital to Canterbury

By

KEVIN McMENAMIN

Whangarei Confidence in its own ability might prove vital to the Canterbury rugby team when it plays the second match of its North Island tour, and its third in the Radio New Zealand championship, against North Auckland today. It was lack of confidence, particularly among the backs, which largely cost Canterbury a win over Manawatu last Wednesday. Since then, the coaches (Messrs S. F. Hill and D. A. Arnold) have been conducting a crash course to boost the confidence of the newer and younger players so that the team will play more as a unit. They appear to be getting results. The team trained very well , yesterday, and morale has been lifted, but not to the point of complacence. By local assessment, North Auckland is unusually weak this season. North Auckland’s record of six losses in eight matches, including defeats in all four its national championship encounters, does suggest that it is going through a lean patch. Its first-year selector, Mr L. Townsend, a very able half-back for Otago in the late 19505, has been forced into a rebuilding programme,

and the loss of three players to the All Blacks — Hamish Macdonald, Sid Going, and Joe Morgan —- plus the unavailability of other seasoned representatives has not made his task easier. Nevertheless, Mr Townsend hoped yesterday that the North Auckland pack would very nearly hold its own, and heartened by reports that the Canterbury backs had been experiencing difficulties he thought there might not be much disparity there. Both Mr Hill and Mr Arnold are mindful of the importance of a win today. “The success of our tour depends largely on us beating North Auckland, and it is essential both for installing confidence into the team and giving us the boost we need

for the hard matches ahead.” Mr Hill said. Provided Canterbury is not too much affected by the urgent need to halt its losing streak, it should win. Not only does North Auckland have a worse record and look a team thin on individual tallent, but just two weeks ago it lost, 6-19, to Manawatu. Canterbury also lost to Manawatu, but the margin was much closer. The teams are:— Canterbury.—D. HeHernan; D. Stewart, A. Jefferd, S Cartwright: M. McEwan, K. Jennings; S. Scott; A. Wyllie; J. Phillips, V. Stewart, D. Thompson, S. Cron; J. Ashworth, M. Hall, H. Thompson. North Auckland.—B. McCarroll; M. Gunson, M. Dyer, D. Haynes; B. McDonald, D. Laurie; VV Dunning; H. Sowman: J Snelling, S. Wright. G. Phillips, P. Haise; F. Morgan, P. Sloane, W. Neville.