Manawatu geared up for big effort

Press, 6 September 1980, Page 60

Manawatu geared up for big effort

By

JOHN BROOKS

Judging by the portents from Palmerston North, Canterbury will become a warm favourite for the Lion national first division rugby championship if it overcomes a formidable Manawatu side in a virtual preliminary grand final today. The inference to be taken from remarks made yesterday by the Manawatu coach, Mr Graham Hamer, is that his side is ready to produce a game of high quality to gain an overdue win against the red and blacks. Canterbury has beaten Manawatu in each of the last three seasons. But this year, with its pack bolstered by the forbid-

ding presence of Frank Oliver, Manawatu has developed into a side of outstanding worth. It has headed off six of its seven first division opponents, its only loss, like Canterbury’s, being to Wellington. But it has toppled the title-holder, Counties, and the Ranfurly Shield winner, Auckland, and Mr Hamer thinks the best is yet to come — perhaps this afternoon. “This match is very important to us and to Canterbury,” he said. “The side which loses will be out of the running for the first division title. “We know it will be tough; Canterbury is

always a hard side to combat, and it’s beaten us three times in a row. But I’m very pleased with the boys’ form. When we came back from the South Island tour we did very well against North Auckland, and I’m hopeful that

we can carry that on against Canterbury. “But I still don’t feel that we’ve reached our peak. I hope that will come tomorrow.” Like Canterbury, Manawatu will have two All Blacks on the side-line. Geoff Old, who has a

slight injury, is not being risked at No. 8 because of his commitment in the match against the Fijians a week later. And the vete r a n wing, Mick O’Callaghan, has been placed in the reserves, giving way to Jim Bryson.

Manawatu will still field six All Hacks — Oliver, Gary Knight and Mark Shaw up front, and Mark Donaldson, Doug Rollerson and Lachie Cameron in the backs. In addition, Craig Wickes, a youthful wing, is a New Zealand reserve for next Saturday.

Cohesive forward play and accurate goal kicking by Rollerson have been big factors i.i Manawatu’s success so far, and the Canterbury pack faces a hard task, especially after a strenuous afternoon against Bay of Plenty on Wednesday. However, Canterbury has a wealth of attacking talent, which it coyly kept under wraps for most of the Bay of Plenty game. The team’s prospects this afternoon depend on whether the backs can get a fair slice of the action. Palmerston North has had plenty of rain in the last 48 hours, but conditions improved late yesterday. The pitch at the

showgrounds Is quick to dry and a Uittle wind this morning should improve the surface. The teams are:-

Manawatu: Alan Innes; Wickes, Cameron, Bryson; Alex Tatana, Rollerson; Donaldson (captain); Shaw; Geoff Grant, Oliver, Murray Rosenbrook, Terry Sole; Knight, Bruce Hemara, Roy Gaskin. Canterbury: Robbie Deans; Randal Scott, Paul Molloy, lan Mather; Kieran Keane, Wayne Smith; Gary Barkle; Peter McLaren; Don Hayes (captain), Jock Ross, Graeme Higginson, Barney Henderson; John Ashworth, Murray. Hall, Murray Davie.