Canterbury to play in Amco Cup again

Press, 25 February 1977, Page 28

Canterbury to play in Amco Cup again

By

RAY CAIRNS

The John Lloyd testimonial rugby league match at the Show Grounds tomorrow has taken on all the appearance of a full-scale trial for Canterbury. The announcement from Sydney yesterday that Canterbury has again been included in the draw for the rich — and this season, even richer — Amco Cup series was greeted with enthusiasm by the provincial coach, Trevor Bisman. “This is tremendous news, and of course that squad of 32 or so will have to be narrowed down to about 19, the sooner the better,” said Bisman. And as the coach paused from training with the Canterbury 7 XIII, which is to play a Hornby Invitation XIII, he concluded that the February match will be a good thing for Canterbury 7. “I didn’t really want this game at this stage of the year, but I’m very pleased we have it now. It will be a good trial for certain players on both sides, and it is only a pity — perhaps for them as well — that some are not available.”

The Canterbury XIII has changed a little from that originally chosen. Kevin Williams, the Papanui fullback, has cricketing commitments with Bumside-West and can not play, so Michael O’Donnell is likely to have a full game at full-back.

Also, so serious is John Greengrass about the sport this season that he is not prepared to go out when he does not feel fully fit. The Kiwi prop, dropped by Canterbury for the first time last season, said as much last evening.

“I want to get properly fit before I start playing,” said Greengrass during a break from practice with Kaiapoi. “I’ve only been training two months, and I don’t think that’s enough to be playing on Saturday.” But he expressed enthusiasm at Canterbury getting a place in the Amco tournament again and would be available if considered “good enough.” The other players now not available are Terry Gillman, the New Zealand XIII prop scheduled to play in the second row tomorrow, and David Field, the South Island stand-off half. Both have business commitments. Mark Broadhurst is also unavailable, because of an elbow injury, and the new second row pairing is that of Barry Edkins and Grant Findlay.

Graeme Cooksley, making his first appearance for a Canterbury XIII since 1975 — and apparently in favour to extend his record of appearances for the province — will captain the team tomorrow. His forward leader will be another Eastern Suburbs player, Alan Rushton, and the starting lineup will be:—

O’Donnell, Mocky Brereton, Bruce Dickison, Eddie Kerrigan, Pat Lagrosse, Cooksley, Ken Tait, Rushton, Mike Godinet. Stewart Hogg, Edkins, Findlay, Mutu Stone. The reserves, all of whom will be played under the

Amco rules, are Gary Taie, Wally Wilson, Mark Vincent and Paul Truscott.

It appears Canterbury’s first game, against South Brisbane, will be on March 30, and it is placed in the bottom half of the draw, quite the tougher.

As well as Auckland, it includes the top Sydney clubs, Manly, Easts, Norths and Parramatta. When the draw was announced yesterday by the organiser, Mr Colin McLennan, huge financial increases were also disclosed.

They include total prize money of $225,000 — with even first round losers getting a record $1250 — $60,000 of this going to the winner, $20,000 more than last year. There are big returns for individuals as well. The "man of the match” will again receive a colour television set —or sound equipment valued at $650 — and the "super star” of the series receives a return trip for two to London.

And the player who either scores or contributes most to the "golden try” will receive a Volvo station waggon, and a boat — with engine and trailer — with a total value of $15,000. While Canterbury’s inclusion by the Amco organisers will no doubt cause some heart-buming in Wellington — which considered it should play-off for the second place — Bisman yesterday expressed a hope that "we can still have a lick at Wellington before the series starts.” However, time — with only five weeks, it seems, before the first Amco match — may be against him and his team.