More magic from 'Bee Gee’ today?

Press, 18 August 1979, Page 52

More magic from ' Bee Gee’ today?

Bv JOHN BROOKS Bryan Williams is back in action at Lancaster Park — and that is usually an indication that at least part of the rugby will be spectacular. It is 10 years since the noted All Black first played in Christchurch, and since that time drama has attended almost every appearance he has made. '‘Bee Gee” was only 18 when he first played on Lancaster Park, and it was a deceptively quiet debut. He played at centre, inside Grahame Thome, for Auckland against Canterbury and was not prominent in a side which was well beaten. But that image quickly changed a year later when he played for the Barbarians against the Cantabrians in an early season match packed with top One brilliant runaway try he scored under the keen gaze of the then New Zealand chief selector, Mr Ivan Vodanovich, was instrumental in winning him a place in the All Black side to South Africa. Fergie McCormick, at full-back for the Cantabrians, was impressed by the young wing and after watching him carefully he was convinced that he side-stepped only off his right foot. So when Williams cleared out from the defence with only the fullback to beat, McCormick lined him up and then lunged to the right — only to grasp air. Williams had come off his left foot and raced away to score. The now celebrated Aucklander was back in the Lancaster Park limelight twice in 1971. first when he was awarded a penalty try in a test. He was obstructed by the Lions’ right wing, Gerald Davies, as he prepared to take a pass in the second international of that series, and the referee, Mr John Pring, made his bold decision.

Six weeks later Williams was back in Christ-

church with the Auckland team, and three huge penalty goals he kicked helped his side capture the Ranfurly Shield from Canterbury, 20-16. A year later he was a member of the All Black team that crushed an unconvincing Australian side in each of three tests. At Lancaster Park Williams treated the crowd to another of his famous sidesteps on the way to yet another try. Williams was not in the Auckland side which was hammered by Canterbury in 1973; in fact, his next appearance in Christchurch was not until 1975, when he was at centre for an Auckland team which narrowly beat Canterbury. When the All Blacks lost to the Lions in the second test of 1977, Williams scored all the home team’s points, with three penalty goals. Another less memorable attempt almost felled the corner stick.

A week before the end of that season he played in Christchurch for an Auckland team that was well beaten by a rampant Canterbury. But “Bee Gee” set up two tries with strong runs and also scored a crafty one himself, taking off on a blockbusting run from a penalty after pretending to kick for goal. It was recorded that one Canterbury forward was cleaning the mud from his sprigs as Williams raced past. Now he is making another comeback, after breaking an ankle earlier this season. It did not take him long to regain his place in the Auckland XV after returning to senior rugby — two games, in fact.

This might be Bryan Williams’s last appearance at Lancaster Park. He will be 29 in October, and family and business demands are increasing. It is not too much to hope for that a few flashes of the Williams magic will enliven the game this afternoon.