‘J. J.’ professes interest

Press, 14 July 1980, Page 32

‘J. J.’ professes interest

PA Wanganui A former All Black coach, J. J. (John) Stewart, is adopting a “wait and see’’ policy on. whether he’ll bid for the job of taking the All Blacks to Wales later this year. But the Flock House agricultural college headmaster admitted from Bulls last evening that he had not discounted attempting to win back the national coacb’ng job he lost after taking the New Zealand rugby side to South Africa in 1976. Mr Stewart, who stood unsuccessfully for re-election to the national three-man se-

i lection panel this season, said he had given no serious . thought recently to seeking ; the Welsh assignment, but ’ he confessed he “just might !be interested.” He would I probably make no decision 1 until Mr Watson had made his intentions clear. “I’ll be surprised if Eric • does not stand again,” Mr : Stewart said. “In fact, I ■ reckon they’ve got to take i him to Wales.” ; Naturally disappointed s with New Zealand’s failure i to regain the Bledisloe Cup, Mr Stewart said that in his I opinion Australia was at present “the best rugby ■ team in the world.”

Australia had done little wrong over the last couple of years. “We were just lucky we didn’t lose the test series. 0-3 — the Australians lapsed for just long enough for us to salvage the second test.”

Mr Stewart said his contention that Australia was the world champion was not just idle speculation. “I’ve no doubt that Australia is No. 1 with the second place inconclusive between South Africa and the British Lions.” “But Mr Stewart had no doubts at all that New Zealand was “right down at the bottom.”