Sub-unions can expect tough match

Press, 13 June 1979, Page 38

Sub-unions can expect tough match

From

BOB SCHUMACHER

The Canterbury Subunions rugby team starts its two-match southern tour with a game against Southland Sub-unions at Winton today. In the last meeting between the two sub-unions in 1977, Canterbury won 26-13. Southland Sub-unions has a strong XV and, even without the presence of two All Blacks, Ash McGregor, who is injured, and Ken Stewart, the loose forward trio is certain to be a disruptive force to contend with. Leicester Rutledge is on one flank and Phillip Young, a Southland representative, is on the other. At the back of the scrum is the promising Bruce Robertson, a New Zealand colt last year. Dave Saunders, a rugged prop, will captain the team. That will not be new to him; he has captained Southland for the last two years. Locking the scrum with Fergus Dermody is an interesting character, Jeff Lamb, whose age will remain a secret. Suffice to say he has represented Sub-unions at fullback, half-back and No. 8 before being elevated to his lofty position.

Most of the Southland backs are relative newcomers although Jeff Gardi-

ner is the established Southland full-back, and the centre, Murray Mitchell, has made more than 50 appearances for his province. John Ashworth, a late withdrawal from the Canterbury Sub-unions, and Matte Wilson, who was required for Southern Maoris for its match against Northern Maoris today, have both been replaced, but Alex Wyllie still has a powerful forward pack at his com. mand. Les Roberts is being given a run at half-back instead of a former Canterbury halfback, John Munro, and Chris Rhodes fills the first fiveeighths position ahead of David Carter. The teams are: Canterbury Sub-unions: Alan Jenkins, Ross Saunders, Andrew Munro, Neil Burton, Bruce Dunbar, Rhodes, Roberts, Wyllie (captain), Ross Loffhagen, Graeme Higginson, Alan Martin, Don Hayes, John Bums, Hugh Taylor, Barry Thompson. Southland Sub-unions: Gardiner, Stephen Price, Mitchell, Allan Hamilton, Selwyn Winter, Kevin Munro, Murray Heath. Robertson, Rutledge, Dermody, Lamb, Young, Saunders, Robin Braithwaite, Lex Chisholm. The tour ends on Saturday with a match against Otago Sub-unions, at Alexandra.