Three contenders for rugby league title

Press, 9 August 1980, Page 56

Three contenders for rugby league title

By

JOHN COFFEY

Such is the complicated nature of the national interdistricts rugby league championship that a win to South Island over Central Districts at Wellington today might ultimately be seen as a loss to both teams.

If South should , beat Central — and its victory over Australia proved that it has the potential to do so — and Auckland is, as expected, too strong for Northern at Auckland, points scoring will have to he taken into account to decide a threeway tie. Of the three contendere

for participation hr the 1981 Tooth Ciip tournament-'in Australia,- ’South’ has. the hardest ■ task. Not. only does if have to wrest a 12-point margin over Central, but it has to rely on Northern to restrict Auckland to a .victory of 17. points' or less.

The marvels of modern technology have for some years been a familiar part of sporting tactics overseas, and they will have some influence on the game in Wellington.. A television set has been installed at Rugby League .Park, to keep a.check on proceedings in Auckland.

> Betause of . television schedules. j the Auckland match , will- end 30 -minutes earlier than'that in’Wellington. It would be surprising, if

some '• hurried messages are not relayed to the players once the \ result at Carlaw Park is .known.. A, South.. ” has been ‘ the enigma of the representative season. It began its campaign with a flourish and emerged triumphant from 1 a tough encounter .with.,; the

world-.champion Australians.? ' But . its- graph .has nosedived since, to an unconvincing . success? against Northern and the surrender

of what should have been a winning lead when at home to. Auckland. .Wheninjuries cost South the services of Bruce Dickison, Barry Edkins and David Field, Ms prospects of Central seemed The balEsea haa bw rig-

hted; however,' by the en« forced withdrawals- of three Central, forwards. Kevin Tamati, the captain, has a broken thumb; Whetu. Henry has influenza, and Bruce Gall failed'to pass a fitness test because, of a strained rib cage. Graeme West : has been moved to prop, and Whare Henry, and Maike Butler recalled.

The pressure extends further'than the basic result, or even the winning margin, for the New Zealand selectors are to meet in Wellington this evening to consider their trialistfr foe Jha Kiwj

tour to Britain and France, The teams are:—

South: M. W. J.,O’Donnell; R. L. Alfeld, B. J. Green, P. G. Klink, M. J. Williams; C. B. Menzies, G. J. Smith; M. E. Broadhurst, P, W. , Truscott, A. P. Rushton; A. P. Coll, R. F. Baxendale; K.'A. Franklin. Reserves: B. J. Murphy, W. P. Dwyer. Central: P. Christensen; M. Peterson, J. A. Whittaker, G. Butler, L. Kupa; N. J. Tupaea, J. Knuckey; G. L. Wef>t, H. Tamati, P. Te Ariki; Whare Henry, V. Bracken; M. Butler. Reserves: T. Wharekura, R. Rasmussen.