Pressure on Ashworth

Press, 13 May 1981, Page 44

Pressure on Ashworth

By

KEVIN McMENAMIN

John Ashworth’s seriousness about playing rugby for Canterbury this winter has been put to the test with his selection in the squad to prepare for next Wednesday’s game against West Coast at Greymouth. Ashworth declared earlier in the year that while he was no longer available for the All Blacks he was still interested in playing for Canterbury, providing it did not mean too much time away from his Sefton farm. However, almost immediately the farm came first when Ashworth found he could not spare the time to travel with the Canterbury side w’hich recently, undertook a short tour to Australia.

In explaining Ashworth's selection for the West Coast game, not one for which his presence is likely to be vital, the chief Canterbury coach, Gerald Wilson, said yesterday what was vital was Ashworth’s attitude to his selection. “We have a full and demanding season ahead of us and we want to know what players we have got. There have been difficulties in the past with players being available only when it suited them and this has not always been in the best interests of the side as a whole,” said Mr Wilson.

“Our game against Scotland is only three weeks away and what we want to determine in the next week or so is what the team for this game is going to be. And this is one good reason why Ashworth has been named in the Coast squad.” Mr Wilson said that after next Wednesday’s game he and his co-selector, Neil Cornelius, would be naming a Town squad for the annual game against Country, at Queen's Birthday week-end, and also a squad for the match against Scotland on June 6.

Not considered for the West Coast game were Canterbury's four All Black trialists. The four. Murray Davie, Graeme Higginson, Steve Scott and Wayne Smith, are being left free for their engagement at Athletic Park on Saturday week. Steve Hansen, the Marist centre, was another not considered. He is still being bothered by the knee injury which kept him out of the Australian tour.

Apart from Ashworth, perhaps the most interesting selection is the Linwood first five-eighths, Rod Latham. Latham's sound play when Smith was injured last winter has apparently kept him ahead of the very promising newcomer to Canterbury, Mark Liddicoat. It may also be notable that missing completely from the list are two Canterbury Alt Blacks of recent years, Richard Wilson and Vance Stewart. The full squad is.—

Backs: Robbie Deans, Randal Scott. Brett Oetgen, Victor Simpson, Craig Green, Wayne Burleigh, Kieran Keane, Rod Latham, Graeme Ellis, Gary Barkle. Forwards: Dale Atkins, Jock Hobbs, Peter McLaren, Don Hayes, Albert Anderson, Dave White, John Ashworth. Pat O’Bryne, Rob Mclntosh, Mick Powley, Gwynn Williams.

Training Rugby Park, Sunday, May 17, 10 a.m.—Advt.