Canterbury likely to beat W. Coast

Press, 9 May 1979, Page 42

Canterbury likely to beat W. Coast

By

KEVIN McMENAMIN

Although a little lighter in experience than usual, the Canterbury rugby team should have few problems in starting its 1979 programme with a win over West Coast at Greymouth today. Both teams have been hit by injuries, but with its limited number of top players, West Coast is the greater sufferer, and will be without • its three leading players, Ken Beams, Gavin Cook and Jon Sullivan.

As always, West Coast will be at a' serious size and height disadvantage. With the all-Country front-row of John Ashworth, Hugh Taylor and Barry Thompson leading the way Canterbury should dominate the scrums and tight exchanges.

In the line-outs, too, where Don Hayes, at the back, has the height to complement the specialists, Graeme Higginson and John Harwood, there should be an ample supply of possession for the visitors.

With its big game against Queensland only a month away, the match is something more than just a pipeopener for Canterbury. For a number of the newer players it will be chance to stake claims for permanent consideration.

The new first five-eighths, Robbie Deans, will be the subject of much attention. In

his first game at the firstclass level he will have to cope with a half-back (Graham Ellis) whom he has never partnered in addition to a heavy ball.

The weather has improved in Greymouth over the last two days, but the surface at Rugby Park will, at best, be soft. There is plenty of speed outside Deans to fruitfully use the possession he can distribute. West Coast has never held the W. O. Blair Memorial Trophy, which was donated 22 years ago for competition between the two provinces. Canterbury will undoubtedly have the trophy aboard the coach this morning, but if the trophy does not also make the return trip tonight a few players might want to stay behind as well. The teams are: Canterbury.— R. Wilson; I. Mather, J. Collinson, R. Gibson; M. McEwan, R. Deans; G. Ellis; A. Wyllie (captain); A. Harvey, G. Higginson, J. Harwood, D. Hayes; B. Thompson, H. Taylor, J. Ashworth. West Coast.— S. Boon; P. Teen, B. Davidson, K. Wilson; G. Davidson, T. Kissock; T. Bromley, W. Monk; J. Davis, K. Thompson, G. Bennett, A. Bruhn; B. Monk, R. Mitchell (captain), J. B. Aitken.