Full-back worries for All Black selectors

Press, 30 May 1981, Page 16

Full-back worries for All Black selectors

In the five years since Joe Karam changed from a rugby celebrity to a league nonentity, the quickest way to become an All Black has been to play at full-back. The national rugby trials in Wellington last week indicated that the trend is likely to be prolonged. New Zealand has fielded 11 specialist full-backs in the last five years, as well as several pa'rt-timers such as Bryan Williams and Duncan Robertson. Last year the pace of the changes was accelerated with Brett Codlin taking over the test position from Richard Wilson in Australia, only to be ousted in turn by Doug Rollerson in Wales.

Now Rollerson is nursing rib injuries, and there are grave doubts, about his availability for the first international against Scotland in Dunedin on June 13. On trial form his likely successor is yet another new man, David Halligan, a sturdy young fellow of 21 from Otago. Two national representatives. Codlin and Alan Hewson, showed ability at joining the line in the trials, but did not distribute the ball very well or kick for goal with much success. Alisadair Sutherland, formerly of Auckland and now in Bay of Plenty, kicked several goals from uncomplicated positions, but his field play was patchy. Halligan, however, looked a champion because he caught the high ball with confidence, kicked accurately, and tackled soundly. Two of his four penalty goals were excellent efforts.

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But the Otago full-back was seldom under pressure because of the long, looping kicks by the opposition. This was just as well for him, as he exhibited extreme reluctance to kick with his right foot, if indeed he can. Twice when the situation called for a right-footed clearance, Halligan ran in circles to work himself into a left-footed angle. The Scots are unlikely to give him such latitude.

So the selectors — Messrs Peter Burke, Stan Hill and Bryce Rope — will be keeping their fingers crossed that Rollerson’s midriff will be restored to soundness in the next day or so, as they will announce their first test side next Wednesday. If Rollerson’s recovery is slow, the selection panel would do well to remember the man who served them so well on the Grand Slam tour in 1978 — Brian McKechnie. At first five-eighths in the trials last week, McKechnie showed that his kicking and handling skills are unimpaired'. And the man’s temperament on big occasions is superb. After he kicked the goal which sealed the doom of Wales in 1978 he should have been wrapped in cotton wool by the selectors and produced only on test days. Choosing the rest of the side will hot cause Mr Burke and his colleagues much bother. The pack could be identical to that which humbled Wales last year, but strong challenges have been mounted in certain positions,

JOHN BROOKS

notably the front row. Brad Johnstone demonstrated his determination by flattening a rival prop with a beefy fend at training and his application and technique in his match might have given him the edge over the present test loose-head prop, Rod Ketels. Andy Dalton is an accomplished hooker and an 80min grafter, which gives him an advantage over the man who supplanted him, Hika' Reid. And Grant Perry, unknown at national level before his selection as an All Black replacement last year, has made big strides and is now hard on the heels of the two top men.

Gary Knight, at tight-head prop, and Graeme Higginson and Andy Haden, at lock, showed that they are clearly superior to their rivals, and Graham Mourie and Mark Shaw are the probable flankers.

, For sheer industry, Bruce Middleton would be a popular choice, but his lack of height will count against him. Shaw did not have the best of trials, but his assertive showing in Wales will probably keep him ahead of the experienced Southlander, Ken Stewart. Another prospect, Geoff Hines, started with a hiss and a roar, but after making one great run from a scrum to catch the opposing open side wing, Murray Kidd, he lapsed noticeably. The test No. 8, Murray Mexted, is nursing a ankle

injury, and time is running out for him. Should he fail to make the grade. Geoff Old. who shaped well in Wales, will probably win the nod ahead of Gary Seear. Alan Dawson was the best of the backrow men at the. trials, but his terrible mistake which cost Counties a Ranfurly Shield win two years ago cannot easily be forgotten.

Dave Loveridge is likely to be retained at half-back, although Steve Scott has now muscled Mark Donaldson from second place and is pressing hard for advancement. And in the threequarter line. Bruce Robertson, Stuart Wilson and Bernie Fraser are certainties, with Fred Woodman and Bruce Smith as excellent second-string wings. Ten players have chances for selection as five-eighths, with the nimble Southlander, Steve Pokere, widely favoured to gain a place, regardless of position. The Canterbury player, Wayne Smith, probably rates ahead of Eddie Dunn, Tu Wyllie and the promising Joe Boe at first five-eighths, even though Wyllie has the game against Scotland today to make a final bid. Murray Taylor, who played at second five-eighths in the trials, has occupied the inside position in most of his New Zealand appearances, and he cannot be discounted.

But there is a suspicion that the selectors might choose Pokere for the pivot role because of his splendidly balanced running and his handling and kicking skills.

This would leave the way open for the utilisation of that most competitive of midfield backs, Andy Jefferd. His thrust on attack, uncompromising tackling, and ability to read a game well commend him as an admirable link between two such"

mercurial players as Robertson and Pokere. The side, then, might be:— Rollerson (or McKechnie); Fraser, Robertson, Wilson; Jefferd, Pokere; Loveridge; Mexted (or Old); Shaw, Haden, Higginson, Mourie (captain); Knight, Dalton, Johnstone.