Deans may retain full-back’s position

Press, 31 March 1981, Page 32

Deans may retain full-back’s position

By

KEVIN McMENAMIN

In spite of competition from the All Black, Richard W’ilson, Robbie Deans appears to have a good chance of retaining the position of full-back which he filled in the Canterbury rugby team at the end of last winter. Deans has been named at full-back, with Wilson in the reserves, in the Canterbury XV which will meet a Cantabrians selection at Kirwee next Sunday. After this match the 19 players for Canterbury’s Australian visit next month will be announced. Deans got his chance last winter when Wilson’s form slumped after an injury and although Deans fell short of being a roaring success he!

may have done well enough to hold his place. In any event, he obviously has the chance on Sunday to earn himself a trip to Australia. It is highly unlikely that the touring party will contain more than one fullback and Deans would seem to be the one the selectors have in mind. With just 19 players, for three games, the selection is not going to be easy. There will need to be two hookers and two half-backs and this leaves just one other spare foward and one other spare back. The team will need to be lucky with injuries to get through the tour without having to call for more players. Fortunately, fresh players can be sent to Sydney and Brisbane, the main

playing venues, without undue delay. The team for Sunday’s game has been drawn from the squad that has been in training for some weeks. The full side is:— Deans; Ross Gibson, Victor Simpson, Brett Oetgen; Kieran Keane. Wayne Smith; Steve Scott; Peter McLaren; Dale Atkins, Vance Stewart, Dave White, Jock Hobbs; Pat O’Byrne, Mick Powley, Murray Davie. Reserves. — Gary Barkle. Richard W’Non, Rod Latham, Randal Scott; Jed Williams, Graeme Higginson, Albert Anderson, Rob Mclntosh.

Not considered for the team was last year’s Canterbury captain, Don Hayes. It is believed that he will be playing for the Cantabrians.