Scottish fans warned to ignore complaints

Press, 21 May 1981, Page 32

Scottish fans warned to ignore complaints

NZPA . London Scottish rugby fans have . been warned against putting too much faith in New Zealand complaints about lack of talent in key positions. In a send-off to the Scotland., team, which left Heathrdw on Tuesday night on its seven-match: tour of New Zealand, the rugby correspondent. for. “The Scotsman” newspaper) Harry Pin- . cot,, said that’Scotland’s man- ' ager, Ken Smith “would be/ wise, to ignore stories emanating from .that country about.' the - many problems facing the selectors there.” Referring to New Zealand worries about the inside backs, ■ Pincott said: “Remembering how well the AH Blacks have performed .on recent visits-.to Britain and in .particular their displays against Wales last year, one should -take these so-called .worries with .a. pinch of salt”? . In “The Tinies” lain MacKenzie said that the/, presence of 16 players from ”

the rugby-mad Scottish borders in the 26-man squad would give the side “almost a club atmosphere.” But Mr Smith, who with the coach; Jim Telfer, is also a borderer,-said the team was-'a national one to the core:. “There will be no favouritism. and no discrimination,’.’ he said.. . The team arrives in Auckland tomorrow after a stopover in Singapore, and will go straight to Taumarunui. where Scotland plays King Country next week. . The itinerary gives the players little time to recover from jet-lag but Mr Smith said that the squad would be training the next day. . . "I hope to organise a golf outing,ori Sunday arid then it will. be -hard training on Monday-and Tuesday in preparation for the first game on . Wednesday,” Mr Smith ■'said. ■ “All the boys are very fit

and on edge and the first match " can’t come quickly enough.” •Mr Smith, a Kelso farmer, who toured New Zealand with the Lions in .1959, said that the team was .“the best prepared squad to leave Scotland for an overseas tour.” Few of the players have played competitive , rugby in • the last six weeks, but Mr Smith said the squad session with Mr Telfer had been “very exacting.” “Jim has done a tremendous job and the spirit among the players is excellent.” :*■.'■ ■■ The squad includes five players from the only previous Scotland tour of New Zealand, in 1975. They are the captain and full-back, Andy Irvine, the centre, Jim Renwick, the wing, Bruce Hay. the flanker, David Leslie, and the lock, Alan • 'Tonjes. - & Irvine and Hay returned in 51977 with the British Lions. ,