Jeff Squire likely Welsh captain next year

Press, 13 June 1979, Page 16

Jeff Squire likely Welsh captain next year

By

KEVIN McMENAMIN

Jeff Squire, the tall loose forward who came to

New Zealand as a replacement with the 1977 Lions, is being tipped as the next Welsh rugby captain; the man to replace J. P. R. Williams, who retired this year. His only serious rival is likely to be Derek Quinnell. but Quinnell is 30 and Squire, at 27, may be considered the wiser choice. With the Welsh Rugby Union celebrating its centenary next year, the captaincy will be a plum job. With it will go the opportunity to lead Wales to its first win over the All Blacks in 27 years, a dream, which if it should come true, would bring

everlasting fame to the captain.

Squire was uncapped , when he came to New Zealand in 1977, but finished : up playing in the final test of that series when two of the established loose forwards, Terry Cobner and Quinnell, were ruled out because of injuries. He has been a regular H member of the champion Welsh sides of the last two years and last year he changed his club allegiance from Newport to Pontypool, succeeding Cobner as the Pontypool captain last winter. Clive Griffiths, of Llanelli, is expected to take over from Williams as the Welsh full-back. Griffiths is reputed to be an attack-

er in the Andy Irvine mould, but somewhat suspect on defence.

Williams had a memorable last season, leading Wales to its fourth successive Triple Crown, publishing his biography and receiving more newspaper space than the outgoing British Prime Minister with the continuing story of the facial injury he received while playing for Bridgend against the All Blacks. Williams later gained happier memories playing in the Bridgend colours when he led the club to an 18-12 win over Pontypridd in the W.R.U. Cup final. Already the Welsh newspapers are engaged in countdowns to the test against the All Blacks next year. There is confidence

in the forwards, where there are some good young players coming to the fore, and there is also optimism that by the end of next year the new half-back last season, Terry Holmes, will be in the Gareth Edwards class. But the mid-field and outside backs remain a worry. The search is on for more constructive backs and even before Wales won this year’s Triple Crown a leading rugby writer made the following comment: “I would willingly risk sacrificing a Triple Crown —or even a grand slam — by making experiments now that could produce the right formula to beat the All Blacks next year.”

It is a common lament in Wales that there are men in their 40s who have never seen Wales beat the All Blacks. The interest already in next year’s test would suggest that some of these deprived souls are fearful of going to their graves without, ever witnessing “the great day.”