Canty supports Coast protest

Press, 23 April 1980, Page 42

Canty supports Coast protest

By

JOHN COFFEY

. The Canterbury Rugby League is to support a protest by its West Coast counterpart concerning the format for the final trial before the selection of the New Zealand team to tour Britain and France later this year.

Although no firm dates have yet been decided the tentative plan is for the 1980 Kiwi team to meet Auckland at Carlaw Park in September. Three nights earlier the 1980 Kiwis — comprising players who take part in the home tests against Australia in June — will oppose the Rest under floodlights at Christchurch.

However, the code’s national council reserved the right to revise its trials programme if circumstances warranted. That decision was made after West Coast officials made known their displeasure.

The basis of the West Coast argument is that Auckland would probably have about 23 of the 30 players involved in the final trial, with the possibility of two full teams from Auckland in the curtain-raiser. Auckland last year had its most unsuccessful season for some considerable time, winning only three of its 10 fixtures and having modest (by Auckland standards) representation in the New Zealand sides against Britain. Canterbury’s board of control agreed in principle with West Coast’s contention that players equally as skilled as those in Auckland would miss an opportunity to make a final bid for tour selection. Instead of the match between the 1980 Kiwis and Auckland. Canterbury will propose that Auckland meet the Rest, thus allowing 13 players and two reserves from outside Auckland access to the trial.