Rutledge joins team

Press, 17 August 1978, Page 30

Rutledge joins team

Rugby supporters in the far south had a double dose of good news yesterday when Leicester Rutledge was named as Graham Mourie’s replacement in the All Black team for Saturday’s first test against the Wallabies and Frank Oliver was appointed the new captain. Mourie, who would have led New Zealand for the first time at home, withdrew from the team on Tuesday with a bone fracture at the base of his spine. It is feared that he may miss all three tests against the Wallabies but he should be fit for the British tour which begins in October. Rutledge was the obvious choice to take Mourie’s place as the fast, open-side flanker, although he will now be under some pressure to live up to the rave reviews he has received since his admittedly fine display in last month’s All Black trial. Rutledge, who is aged 26, is the third new cap in the team after the unrelated Ashworths. Barry and John. 1

He undoubtedly has the makings of a top forward. Butt it is open to questior whether he is as safe t defender as Mourie. If, a: seems likely, the ball is moved in the backs on Sat urday he will also need t< fill an active support role which on recent form shoulc come easily enough to him. Canterbury, too, can takf some delight in Rutledge’s selection because he grew up in Christchurch and was educated at Riccarton High

School. However, he moved south, first to Mid-Canter-bury and then to Southland, before making a name for himself in rugby. Although now living in Otago, which he is captaining this year, Oliver is a favourite Southland son. A strong believer in hard-driv-i ing forward play, he should prove no less a captain than Mourie and certainly one far more experienced in the ways of test rugby. Mourie said from his Opunake farm yesterday that he thought his injury would i keep him out of rugby for : about 10 days, reports the ! Press Association. He went for a run on! Tuesday night but could manage only half pace be- ' cause of the pain. He said that doctors had I told him the injured bone jwas not an important one I but its placing meant that painkilling injections could I not be given. I “It’s just a matter of the ; pain abating enough so I can run,” he said.