Alfeld’s fitness in doubt

Press, 25 June 1979, Page 36

Alfeld’s fitness in doubt

JOHN COFFEY

By

The findings of a specialist and a physiotherapist today will determine whether Robin Alfeld (Canterbury) will be available for the South Island rugby league team to 'meet Auckland at Carlaw Park next Saturday. Alfeld was injured during South’s 21-16 loss to Central Districts at the Show Grounds on Saturday, and it was feared that he had pulled a hamstring.

“Hopefully it might be only a minor muscle which is affected,” Alfeld said last evening. “I went for a jog this (Sunday) morning and decided to stop when my leg tightened up. “It seems as if major games in Auckland are a jinx to me. Last year I went there strapped up like a mummy because of four broken ribs,” he said.

Whether Alfeld is fit or not. there will be changes in the South back-line. Mocky Brereton and Michael O’Donnell informed the selectors yesterday that they were not available, although O’Donnell said that he was willing to assist if injuries depleted the side.

Neither Brereton nor O’Donnell wished to be considered for the New Zealand test teams to oppose Britain.

They were persuaded to play for South because of the competitive, as well as trial, nature of the national interdistrict championship. But Central’s victory — achieved with a late converted try — over South virtually assured it of the title. Its last opponent is Northern Districts, which has yet to register a win.

The losing streak being experienced by Auckland ended at Huntly on Saturday when Olsen Filipaina, chosen only as a pre-match replacement, scored two tries in a 22-12 win over Northern. If still far from convincing, Auckland has joined South in second place and they will be playing off for (hat position at Carlaw Park.

Another substitute, James Leuluai, gained the other two tries from full-back, and Greg Lowther kicked five goals. Dave Barlow and Paul Ravlich contributed Northern’s tries and Doug Rai'he added three goals. It was notable that the former Kiwi hooker, Tom Conroy, whose career has been dogged by injuries, made an effective return to the Auckland pack.

Points in the inter-district competition are.—

w L F A. Pts Central . 2 0 47 34 4 South 1 1 58 29 2 Auckland , 1 1 40 38 2 Northern . . 0 2 20 64 0