Injury problem hits rugby club

Press, 16 June 1979, Page 56

Injury problem hits rugby club

At the start of the winter, Christchurch looked to have the best front row of any of the senior rugby teams. But injuries have undermined this strength. Once again today Christchurch, the C.S.B. cup leader, will be without its firstchoice props, Mike Cron and Neil Porter. Cron has a slowhealing ankle injury, while Porter has a broken thumb. Porter, however, is in full training and he should be fit in time for the New Zealand Colts trial at Nelson on Juiy 18. One of the successes of the Colts team last year, Porter, if available, should be an automatic selection. A further problem for the

Christchurch coach, Russell Skerrett, is that his third prop, Mark Howell, is in Australia until the end of July. For today’s game against Belfast at Lancaster Park, Mr Skerrett has promoted a senior reserve prop, John Armstrong, to join John Mika, normally a lock. The veteran prop. Bob Hearn, is in the reserves. In the backs, Christchurch is a little more settled, although the three-quarters, Don Humphreys and John Collinson, are both in doubt tomorrow because of injuries. The side is fortunate in having the former All Black, Scott Cartwright, to play on the wing.