N.Z.’s attacking backs could engineer Wallabies’ downfall

Press, 19 August 1978, Page 56

N.Z.’s attacking backs could engineer Wallabies’ downfall

I rom

KEVIN McMENAMIN,

in Wellington

Seven tests lie ahead of the All Blacks before Christmas and the odds are that they will begin this challenging programme with a win in the first of the three-test series against the Wallabies at Athletic Park this afternoon.

At the same time it would be foolish to take what is an uncommonly experienced Australian side lightly. It has the usual advantage of touring teams of having had lead-up matches and although its record in the provinces of three wins and three losses is unremarkable there have been signs that this could develop into one of the better Australian sides. The losses to Southland and Otago were narrow enough to be graded in the unlucky class and it was no disgrace to fail against Manawatir, a good team by any standards. Tactics are likely to be a crucial factor and both teams are gifted with coaches . who know what they are | about and have shown the; ability to be a step ahead oftheir rivals in producing the i unexpected. Furthermore, I both men — Jack Gleeson; (New Zealand) and Daryl Haberecht (Australia) —i have winning reputations to uphold. Mr Haberecht has made; no secret of the fact that; the tests are what he has! come to win, and this was| clear before Southland extinguished his hopes of an ■ unbeaten tour. However, tac-

tically speaking his options could be rather cramped. On size and mobility, i there is some reason for ■ ; thinking that the Australian . forwards will be able to ■hold their own with the All Black pack, but no more. If | Mr Haberecht accepts this, and the indications are that • | he does, then he will have ! to pin some faith in his backs, and it is here i where the Australians could ; come unstuck. There is no I denying that New Zealand (possesses some fine attacking backs at present, Bruce (Robertson and Bryan Wil- ' liams in particular, and if

the game turns into a running race then the AU Blacks’ chances will soar.

As always, Mr Gleeson is saying little, but there is no cause to think that he will stray from the ball-moving style of play that he pressed for last year and which returned dividends, especially in France. But before the backs are given their heads, the forwards will have to wrest a measure of control and with the captaincy now in the hands of Frank Oliver there is added reason for expecting that the emphasis for the first quarter will be | on hard, driving forward play. Goal kicking, along with the Wellington weather, remains the great imponderable. On his day Bevan Wilson is capable of kicking New Zealand to victory, but unfortunately he is too inconsistent to be relied upon. Without Paul McLean, who almost singlehandedly won the series against Wales earlier this year, the Wallabies are at a disadvantage, although in Ken Wright the tourists may still have the best goal-kicker. So far as the weather is

concerned, it is anybody’s guess. Yesterday's overnight forecast contained a mixture of wind, rain and thunderstorms, with the “probability” of a fine day today. The ground should be firm. There is a definite air of confidence in the Australian camp. To some extent the players could still be dining out on their Welsh triumph and the captain, Tony Shaw, said yesterday that he felt the team had improved greatly since the games against Wales. However, the area of most interest to New Zealand will be the inside backs, John Hipwell and Wright. Hipwell’s experience and Wright’s obvious talent make them the kingoins of the Australian machine and if they can be shaken then the All Blacks should not only win, but win comfortably. New Zealand, because its tactical options are wider, does not have the same worry and anyway it can look forward confidently to precise and orderly play behind the scrum from Mark Donaldson and Doug Bruce. It would not be surprising, in fact, if Donaldson and Bruce prove the All Blacks’ greatest assets.

The game will start at 2.30 p.m. The teams: New Zealand: — Bevan Wilson; Bryan Williams, Bruce Robertson, Stu Wilson; Mark Taylor, Doug Bruce; Mark Donaldson; Gary Seear; Leicester Rutledge, Frank Oliver (captain), Andv Haden, Barry Ashworth; John Ashworth, Andy Dalton, Gary Knight. Reserves: — Forwards: John Black, Bill Bush, Dick Myers. Backs: Dave Loveridge, Brian McKechnie, Bill Osborne.

Australia: Laurie Monaghan; , Stephen Streeter, Andrew Slack, Paddy Batch; Martin Knight, Ken Wright (vice-captain); John Hipwell; Greg Cornelson; Tony Shaw (captain), Garrick Fay, Peter McLean, Gary Pearse; John Meadows, Peter Horton, Stan Pilecki. Reserves — Forwards: Bill Ross, Chris Handy, Keith Besomo. Backs: Rod Hauser, Bill McKid, Brendan Moon. Referee: Mr Dave Millar (Otago).