Keane for Asia?

Press, 6 December 1979, Page 40

Keane for Asia?

The All Black five-eighths,; Kieran Keane, might soon be! challenging the likes of! Andy Haden and Bill Bush] as New Zealand’s busiest rugby tourist. Keane has made two tours to Britain this year, first with the Cantabrians and just recently with the Al! Blacks. He can now set his sights on an Asian tour with New Zealand Universities next; March. The itinerary has! still to be finalised, but the! side will be away for three

/weeks with games in Japan, : Hong Kong, South Korea. ’ Singapore and, possibly, Mail laysia. t Keane said yesterday that he had decided to make him- > self available and although : one of the lesser lights of 1 the recent All Black tour, he I must, as the only Universityplayer in that side, be a : strong candidate. Last winter Keane was ..not available for the only iiNew Zealand Universities Jside selected. This was the /team that over-ran Japan.

, 53-13, at Eden Park in April. . He had. however, previously -'gained N.Z.U. selection. The side to make the ( Asian tour is expected to be - announced before Christmas l and Canterbury can expect f solid representation. Well in ’ the running must be five of / the six players who api peared against Japan, plus two others who were in the s reserves. / The five are Doug Heffers nan, Randal Scott. lan Stewe art, Dave White and John ..lEdmondson and the two re-

I.'serves, Gary Barkle and y Mervyn Aoke. J The sixth player was John: e Black, who would have been! e certain of selection. But si Black said yesterday that he tlwas not available. His top: 11 priority next year is regain-; fjing his place in the All! •Blacks for the mid-winter si tour of Australia. e| There are also one or two other Canterbury players - who might be considered, -lone being last season’s; i; Canterbury Colts captain, -|Nick Frankish.