Experienced trio in squad

Press, 9 June 1980, Page 34

Experienced trio in squad

By

JOHN COFFEY

Three very experienced internationals, Dennis Williams Auckland), Tony Coll (West Coast), and John Whittaker (Wellington), have been recalled to the New Zealand rugby league squad for the second test against Australia at Auckland next Sunday. Williams (29 tests), Coll (23), and Whittaker (19) were among New Zealand’s most effective representatives in the 19705, and their first-class

careers extend back much further than those of any of the players who participated in the 6-27 first-test loss to the Kangaroos.

The return of Williams, once he became available, was not surprising after lie masterminded the draw achieved by the New Zealand Maoris against the tourists. Coll had been the shock omission from the first test, and has been recalled in spite of a subdued display for the national second XIII yesterday. But Whittaker’s inclusion among the 16 players is quite a surprise. An outstanding full-back during the triumphant 1971 tour to Britain and France, he also played for the Kiwis as a centre and wing.

However, Whittaker”s most recent test was in 1977 and he has played much of his football at loose forward since then. He was back in his favourite centre role for Central Districts against Australia last Friday evening, and must have made a marked impression on the selectors.

Thirteen of the 15 players who comprised the

first test squad have retained their places. The scrum-half, Shane Varley (Auckland), was not available because of injury, and the Canterbury centre, Lewis Hudson, cast away his chances by withdrawing from the New Zealand XIII to meet Australia. The Kiwis will have their ranks boosted to 17 by the addition of one more back after South Island’s encounter with Australia on Wednesday evening. The logical implication is that the selectors want to gauge the form of the 1975 Kiwi midfield player, Bruce Dickison (Canterbury). The 16 players already named are.-— M. W. J. O’Donnell (Canterbury), K. L. Fisher (Waikato), O. O. FKipaina (Sydney), J. Leuluai (Auckland), D. B. O’Hara (Auckland), J. A. Whittaker (Wellington), D. A. Williams (Auckland), G. J. Smith (West Coast), M. E. Broadhurst (Canterbury), H. Tamati (Taranaki), K. R. Tamati (Wellington), P. Te Ariki (Wellington), G. L. West (Taranaki), A. P. Coll (West Coast), B. R. Edkins (Canterbury), M. K. Graham (Brisbane).