Coach has foot in both camps

Press, 12 July 1980, Page 56

Coach has foot in both camps

By

JOHN BROOKS

The New Brighton senior rugby players are wondering whether Dick Hockley remembers their line-out calls and other classified information about their moves. The former Canterbury prop coached New Brighton for several seasons, but this afternoon he will be in University A’s corner for the all-important final round match for the C.S.B. Cup. Mr Hockley has taken over the University side in the absence of the regular coach, Laurie O’Reilly, who is at a rugby seminar in Rarotonga. He comes in at a difficult time, for the side has several injured players and some with other commitments. Three players who would have contributed much to the game’s spectacle are all with the New Zealand Colts team in Sydney. They . are Ross Gibson (New Brighton), and Dale Atkins and Vic Simpson (University A), and all will play in the curtainraiser to today’s test. New Brighton has led the competition for many weeks,

and goes into the final round two points clear of ’ Linwood and Marist, which > will face each other in the ’ early match at Lancaster 1 Park oval. Brighton, there- ’ fore is assured of at least a share of the cup even if it ' loses to University. And, in this eventuality, it would ; still win outright, if the Mar- ■ ist-Linwood confrontation ■ ended in a draw. The big problem for New Brighton is the procuring of 1 an adequate supply of pos--1 session. Prospects will im- ’ prove if the big University 1 lock, lan Stewart, is unable to' take his place on the 1 field, and New Brighton’s 1 John Te Amo and Peter McLaren can be expected to ' take the initiative in broken play. Wayne Burleigh is in out- , standing form for New 1 Brighton, and he will give a lead on the backs’ tactics. ! Kevin Jennings will take the ' identical role for University, : especially if Kieran Keane cannot play, but in the expected wintry conditions the goal-kicking of New Brighton’s Dave Bowick might prove decisive.