Davis to play new, old rugby roles

Press, 24 June 1978, Page 56

Davis to play new, old rugby roles

Most rugby players probably wish at least once in their careers that they could be selectors. Lyn Davis, who is about to embark on a reluctant comeback, will have this opportunity when metropolitan bus drivers come together for their annual rugby tournament in Christchurch on August 8 and 10.

The former Canterbury and New Zealand half-back has accepted an invitation to choose a national bus drivers’ team at the end of the Kohn Shield tournament at Rugby Park. Teams from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin will take part.

This afternoon Davis will return to senior rugby in his aid position behind the Suburbs pack. He has agreed to

return, but only on a match-by-match basis, because the regular half-back, Mike le Lievre, broke a leg in two places near the end of the match against Sydenham last Saturday. Alan Sutton, who came into the side when Davis retired, was injured in a preseason game and has not appeared in the competition. Davis answered the call although he has played only one match this year, for the Cantabrians a month ago. Davis will have a difficult assignment on Lancaster Park south this afternoon: the game has been switched from the oval because of yesterday’s rain. The opposing team is Linwood, which is smarting from its upset loss to Albion last week-end and will be making a strong

- bid to hold its place in the j race for the four qualifying > positions. ) The eagerly awaited en= i counter between Marist and i University A will take place on the oval. The match lost s a little of its lusture with • Marist’s surprise defeat at ■ Old Boys’ hands last Satur- ■ day but both sides will have . much to offer through their ■ well drilled packs and enterprising back lines. University holds second place by two points from Marist at present, with Linwood and New Brighton equal fourth a further two points down the list. The unbeaten Christchurch side is expected to maintain its lead in the competition b.-. it cannot afford to relax against a Burnside team which has won its last three ; games.