Deadline set on Kiwi pair

Press, 23 June 1978, Page 4

Deadline set on Kiwi pair

NZPA special correspondent | Sydney Two members of the New ZeaI land rugby league louring team, I lan Bell and Nick Wright, havei until Sunday week to be fit to play. If they kre not, they may’ be replaced. “We are aiming at having them play either against Brisbane I colts on Friday week or the I game at Toowoomba two days later,” the co-manager. Mr Bill O’Callaghan, said yesterday. I “If they are unable to. we will have to look at replacing i them.’’ *■ , Bell has damaged ligaments ip ’ his right knee, while Wright' ’ had first an ankle injury and , then subsequently a knee ini 1 jury. I Bell has played only a game 1 i and a half on tour, while Wright I ' has played three. “The question of replacements, will depend a lot too on how wei get through Saturday’s test,” Mr O’Callaghan said. The Kiwis are still being troubled by an outbreak of influenza. The test winger. Fred Ah Kuoi. and reserve. Shane Varley, are the worst affected. Showing the symptoms are Ken Stirling, his vice-captain. Dennis Williams, and Toa Fcpuleai. Chris .Jordan settled down to some goal-kicking practice yesterday and promptly- ran into a rival, the West Coast second rower. Tony Coll. They took, their kicks from about the same'

I angle and Coll was more than a match for New Zealand's test kicker. Coll then let it be known that . he scored more than 100 points si in West Coast club play last > year, and included in that tally I were something like 42 goals If Jordan and Williams start i missing kicks in Saturday’s • test, then Coll could well take ■ over. ; The New Zealand coach, Mr Ron Ackland, appeared to be suffering from test nerves, said ; the Australian Rugby League chairman, Mr Kevin Humphreys, yesterday. He was referring to IMr Ackiand's leading his men 1 out of a welcome function by the N.S.W league general committee on Wednesday night. Mr Humphreys said yesterday that Mr Ackland would be anI vised t o concentrate on his coaching and leave the diplo- ; matic side of the tour to men “better equipped for it.” “Had Ackland been an Australian touring coach he would have been severely disciplined,” added Mr Humphreys. “There was no objection by the Kiwi tour officials who remained on at the function long after Ackland had taken the players out. “The managers. Bill O’Callaghan and Al by Bernard, were embarrassed by the coach’s action. The welcome was one by the N.S.W. league committee am’ it is not customary to invit i home teams to such affairs.”