Nelson ‘Boys’ no easy proposition

Press, 7 May 1980, Page 38

Nelson ‘Boys’ no easy proposition

From 808 SCHUMACHER: in Motueka If the Nelson Bays rugby| team has secured a copy of the North Canterbury and Hurunui sub-unions programme for the season, il may well be moved to take the field . today firing daggers at its Canterbury Country opposition. 'Listed in the programme of fixtures for the Canterbury Country team is an unfortunate misprint. It reads: May 7, Country v. Nelson Boys. . But Country will find there are no 'boys in the Nelson XV, which this season is under the guidance of Mervyn Jaffray, a fine player for Otago over many years and an All Black to Argentina in 1976. Jaffraj’ has been in Nelson for about 18 months and is the Nelson! Bays sole selector. Nelson Bays has two matches under its belt this season, losing to Victoria, 13-15, and beating the All Japan under-23 side, 42-37, in a high-scoring, entertaining spectacle. Country has had just the one game — against Victoria — in which it came from behind to win, 19-13. Last season, the Country team comfortably disposed of Nelson Bays at Rangiora, 17-0. Today’s match will. be ar important one for Country’s new coach, Mr Tom McLay and its new captain, Ross Loffhagen. They have assumed the positions held for many years by Alister Hopkinson and Alex Wyllie, respectively, and they are big boots to fill. For this reason, the Country XV is doubly determined to produce its best today. Mr McLay, although the then appointed coach, was not present to see Country beat Victoria and on that

' occasion the team was Jed [by Wyllie. Today Mr McLay | will see his team in action for the first time and Lofi fhagen has been given the privilege of leading it. Although only 23. Loffhaj gen has listened and learned much from Wyllie. Loffha. gen plays for Wyllie’s strong Glenmark club, and last year captained the successful North Canterbury team. He has been a Country representative for about five years and captained Canterbury Colts for twc years. ’ Although without its two All Blacks, John Ashworth and Graeme Higginson —.an injured knee has ruled Higginson out — Canterbury Country has a formidable pack and will be striving for; forward dominance. A Canterbury Maori and i former Christchurch senior, “Blue" Mika, now working in Hanmer Springs, will prop the scrum. Without! Barry Thompson and Ash-< worth, there was a weakness in Country’s front row against Victoria, but the strength of Mika and Peter Cassidy should alleviate that problem. A most suitable replacement has been found for] Higginson. Jock Ross, a! beanpole lock, formerly from Mid-Canterbury and an AH Black reserve trialist last Saturday, will don the Coun« try jersey for the first time. Nelson Bays has many new faces in its team, but; has the seasoned Bob Neighbours to guide the back-line.. The forwards will be led by Murray West, a big mobile No. 8, and Steve Phipps will be relied upon to supply line-out possession. The hooker, Paul McKay, is one of the best in that position and had several matches for Canterbury B before shifting north.