Junior forwards get ‘’rocket’

Press, 4 July 1978, Page 6

Junior forwards get ‘’rocket’

NZPA staff correspondent Toowoomba The Junior AU Blacks forwards were told yesterday by their coach, Mr Eric Watson, that they turned in a “gutless” performance against Queensland at Brisbane on Sunday. During a 30min post-lunch discussion following their arrival yesterday in Toowoomba for tomorrow’s match against Darling Downs, Mr Watson had all the players examining their consciences. The humiliating 3-41 loss to Queensland has been a sobering experience for the Juniors following a series of easy wins against weak opposition. Now, both Mr Watson and the team manager. Mr Ray Harper, have a difficult lob ahead in trying to raise Sagging spirit and instil enough determination into the players for them to regain lost prestige with improved performance at Toowoomba and in the final match against Queensland next Sunday. The post-mortem on Sunday’s match included suggestions that the Juniors were in awe of

Queensland, did net. appreciate the strength of their opposition and that they have lacked sufficient dedication in their approach to diet and training. Some changes are certain, particularly among the forwards for the second “test” against Queensland, and players in danger of losing their place include the captain. Alan Dawson, who had a bad game at flanker and failed to give strong leadership on the field. A The two players injuredagainst Queensland, tb» - first five-eighths, John Waldron, and wing, Robert Kurut-arfgi. are both expected to be fit bv Sunday and Mr Harper said he would not be calling for a replacement. The Juniors team to play Darling Downs is: Clive Currie; Paul Reilly, Michael Deane, Mike Nutting; Jim Cotter. Wayne Peters; Richard Duff; Geoff Old; Alan Dawson. John Williams, Wayne Graham, Don Hayes; Mark Elliott, Hamish Vance, Mark Harding. Reserves: Michael Hobbs, Paul Koteka, Bruce Middleton. Garry Barkle. Gary Cunningham. John Waldron.