Fisher seeking return to Kiwis

Press, 14 May 1979, Page 30

Fisher seeking return to Kiwis

By

JOHN COFFEY

Kevin Fisher, the fast Wai- 1 kato rugby league wing, will be trying to jog the memories of the New Zealand selectors when he plays against Canterbury at the Show Grounds next Saturday. When Fisher last appeared at the Show Grounds it v»s as a member of the Kiwi side which lost to Britain in the 1977 world championships. The pace which has marked Fisher’s representative career carried him across for a try and when he touched down again a week later to help New Zealand to victorv over France at Carlaw Park it was expected that, at 23 years of age, he would have a long stay in the national squad.

Fisher had achieved the unusual distinction in 1973 of having been chosen for Northern Zone before making his provincial debut. He went on to score two tries when a New Zealand XIII beat Sydney Metropolitan three years later and only a lack of opportunities has blunted his effectiveness for Waikato. But Fisher’s football world fell apart early last season when he was overlooked for the Kiwi tour to Australia and Papua New Guinea. The firm playing surfaces in those countries would have suited his finishing style. New Zealand obviously lacked wings of test quality overseas to the extent that

the second-string scrumhalf. Shane Varley, and the utility, Gary Prohm, were tried on the right-wing at

Brisbane and Port Moresby respectively. With the home test series against Britain only a little more than two months ahead Fisher is certain to be keen to grasp every chance to re-establish himself. He has enjoyed success against Canterbury in the past, with two tries in the 16-12 win to Waikato at Huntly in 1974. Three other members of the Waikato side have gained prominence at national level. Warren Rangi and Rick Muru have been in New Zealand Maoris teams which won Pacific Cup contests and Paul Ravlich, a former schoolboy Kiwi, was a trialist for the New Zealand under-23 squad. Rangi was introduced to

first-class rugby league as an 18-year-old stand-off half in 1969. He also had wide experience in the centres before switching to his present role in the second-row. The big Muru has been a prop forward from his school days and was selected for Auckland when he spent a season there some years ago Ravlich has been named as the Waikato hooker for next Saturday but was better known as a loose forward earlier in his career. The Waikato team is: W. Stevens; K. L. Fisher. C. Morgan, S. Thompson, J. Heremia; W. Kells, D. Barlow; R. Sadler, P. Ravlich, R. Muru; W. Rangi, D. Raihe; S Dunstan. Reserves: M. Taihu. ■T. Bailey,