Wayne Smith returns

Press, 27 August 1980, Page 38

Wayne Smith returns

Several members of the Canterbury A rugby squad who have been sitting on the reserve bench in recent matches, have received an opportunity to press their claims for permanent inclusion in the front-line XV with their selections in the team to play South Canterbury, at Lancaster Park on Saturday. With a heavy representative programme looming in the next five weeks, the Canterbury selectors (Messrs Gerald Wilson and Neil Cornelius) have opted for some changes, especially in the back-line. Robbie Deans replaces the All Black, Richard Wilson, at full-back, and Steve Scott

takes over from Gary Barkle, who is nursing a groin injury. Perhaps the most significant selection is that of Wayne Smith, who will play his first match since returning prematurely through a hamstring injury from the All Blacks tour to Australia. The Belfast first fiveeighths has expressed his desire to return to the fray and he occupied that position for a long training run by the squad last evening. The manner in which Smith lasted the training run has inspired confidence in his ability to make a successful return to first-class rugby. The forward pack remains

the same as that which played against Wellington last Saturday, except that John Ashworth has been bracketed in the front row with the burly Marist prop, Pat O’Byrne. A knee injury is giving Ashworth some concern and he will not be risked should he not be fully fit.

The team is: Robbie Deans; Randal Scott, Paul Molloy, lan Mather; Keiran Keane, Wayne Smith; Steve Scott; Peter McLaren; Don Hayes (captain), Graeme Higginson, Jock Ross, Barney Henderson; Murray Davie, Murray Hall, John Ashworth or Pat O’Byrne.

Reserves.—Backs: Gary Barkle, Ross Gibson, Richard Wilson, Rod Latham, Vic Simpson. Forwards: Mick Powley, Dave White.