Smith gets the scrum-half nod

Press, 1 June 1977, Page 34

Smith gets the scrum-half nod

Auckland

Whether he likes it or not, John Smith is destined to be the scrum half for the Auckland Rugby League team as well as for the Kiwis.

With a specialist half in Shane Varley available, Mr Bill Sorensen, the Auckland selector-coach, has opted for Smith in the match against Australia at Carlaw Park this evening. The choice is not illogical. Smith played exceptionally well against the visitors, and Tom Raudonikis in particular,

in the test last Sunday. It is not inconceivable that Smith may have the upper hand this evening. The exclusion of Varley has given a place to Dave Sorensen at stand-off. Dennis Williams will revert to the centres, but C. Jordan will go on the wing. After the sound beating received from Northern Division in the Amco Cup match last Wednesday, Auckland will be all out to redeem itself. At its one and only practice last evening, the Aucklanders impressed their coach “with one of the best training runs I have had from any squad.” Auckland has the reputation of doing well in the “big ones” at Carlaw Park, and its chances will be further enchanced by the omission from the Australia team of Mick Cronin and Allan McMahon, two fast and dangerous men.

Cronin has a groin injury, and needs the spell, while McMahon has his ankle taped. The kicker, in the absence of Cronin, will be Graham Eadie, but he too is nursing a thigh injury.

Even without Terry Randall and Dennis Fitzgerald, who are in the reserves, the forwards will still be a strong and fast pack. The teams are:

Australia: Graham Eadie. Mark Thoms, Mark Harris, Steve Crear, Rod Reddy, John Peard, Tom Raudonikis. Nick Geiger, Rod Morris, Greg Veivers, Graham Oiling, Ray Higgs, Greg Pierce, Terry Randall, Dennis Fitzgerald.

Auckland: Garv Kemble. Warren Winter, Chris Fordan, Olsen Fillpalna. Dennis Williams, Dave Sorensen, John Smith. Glen Taylor, John Wilson, Lyndsey Proctor, Kurt Sorensen, Alan McCarthy, Mark Graham, Dave ILepper, Mark Low.