Baxendale in doubt for league series

Press, 18 June 1979, Page 30

Baxendale in doubt for league series

By

JOHN COFFEY

Ray Baxendale, the West Coast and New Zealand rugby league second-row forward, faces a race against time to regain his fitness before the test series against Britain later this season. The unfortunate Baxendale virtually had a conducted tour of the Christchurch Public Hospital to receive treatment for head and hand injuries suffered during the first half of South Island’s match against Northern Districts on Saturday. Not one to bow lightly to physical mishaps, Baxendale staved on the field after

having his head cut — the wcund was closed with six stitches — and being concussed in an accidental collision with another player. But it is his second injury which places his test position in doubt. Baxendale broke a finger and had to have his arm encased in plaster. Early reports suggested that the plaster would not be removed for a month and that he could not resume football for six weeks. The opening international against Britain is at Auckland on July 21, only five weeks away. However, Baxendale has proved in the past that he

has the resilience and determination to overcome such set-backs. He made his debut for the Kiwis at 20 years of age in 1975, recovered from a knee injury which needed surgery the next year, and has now represented his country in 12 tests and 13 otner fixtures.

Baxendale plans to have his hand X-rayed again at Grey Hospital in Greymouth next Friday, and hopes to be back in action with his club, Runanga, in three weeks. South Island will be without Baxendale for its two remaining games in the national inter-district championship, against Central Dis-

tricts at Christchurch next Saturday and Auckland at Auckland on June 30. The South selectors (Messrs Gary Clarke and George Menzies) are expected to name their side for the Central match this evening. It is unlikely that many, or any, other changes would be necessary in the light of South’s 42-8 defeat of Northern.

The South-Central game has taken on far greater importance because of South’s massive victory and Central’s 26-18 defeat of Auckland, the first loss by Auckland, at Wellington, since 1913.

It was highlighted by an outstanding individual performance by the Taranaki and former Kiwi prop, Graeme West With West making a strong bid to regain New Zealand selection, Central had a ready-made forward leader, and there was fine support from Kevin Tamati and Bruce Gall.

Only Gary Prohm, of the Auckland forwards, kept his reputation intact as his province sunk to an unprecedented fourth consecutive loss. Auckland’s potentially penetrative backline was equally well contained, and it was the Central three-quarters, Paul

Christensen, Twiss Wharekura and Dick Uluave, who caught the eyes of the national selection panel. The encounter between South and Central will now be the deciding match in the inter-district series. Auckland has a chance to regain some prestige against Northern on the same day. Scorers at Wellington were. —

Central 26 (K. R. Tamati two, P. Christensen, B. Gall, T. Wharekura, H. Tamati tries; W. R. Collicoat four goals) beat Auckland 18 (G. Prohm, A. McCarthy, J. Leuluia, G. Lowther tries; Lowther three goals).