Canterbury below strength

Press, 25 September 1980, Page 34

Canterbury below strength

By

JOHN BROOKS

The imminence of the All Black tour of Wales, occupational demands, and injuries will divest the Canterbury rugby team of some of its strength on the northern mini-tour in the next few days. Farming commitment will keep John Ashworth off the tour, and Graeme Higginson and Randal Scott will heed work calls and return to Christchurch after the first match.

Other players, including Paul Molloy. Richard Wilson and lan Mather, have been trying to toss off the effects of injury, and until fitness tests have been taken the reserves for the Auckland game will not be named. The Canterbury side has two Lion first division games on its northern schedule. The match against Auckland, which was to

have been a Ranfurly Shield challenge until Waikato struck, will be played at Eden Park on Saturday, and the North Auckland game, at Okara Park, Whangarei, will take place on September 30. • In Ashworth’s absence; Murray Davie will return to the Canterbury front row; playing at loose-head prop; The only other change from the side which played against Counties last Saturday is at half-back; Steve Scott will remain in Christchurch, as his wife is er< pecting a child, and Gary Barkle will return to the; team. . _ The team is:—

Robbie Deans; RandalScott, Vic Simpson, Rossi Gibson; Kieran Keane,Wayne Smith; Barkle; Peter McLaren; Don Hayes (cap-, tain), Dave White, Higginson, Dale Atkins; DaviesMurray Hall, Pat O’Byrne. I