Craw Shield unlikely to change hands today

Press, 1 June 1981, Page 24

Craw Shield unlikely to change hands today

The Craw Shield became the property of the Town rugby team for the first time in six years when it beat Country by one point last year and it is unlikely to change hands when the two adversaries' have their annual battle on Lancaster Oval this afternoon.

The Country’ coaches (Messrs Alex Wyllie and Doug Bruce) have yet to discover a successful formula, especially among the backs, and ' that obvious weakness might be exploited by the Town back-line today.

The Town back-line is the virtual Canterbury one and it appears too pacy and penetrative for its Country opposite. The Country backs will

need to tackle with greater certainty than they have in their last two lost matches to contain their rivals.

Adding to Country’s problems is the cloud hanging over the team’s champion forward, Graeme Higginson. The All Black lock is troubled by a bruised thigh and had difficulty in stretching out in training yesterday.

He has been bracketed with Bruce Farmer and a decision as to who plays will not be made until the eleventh hour.

Vic Simpson has shaken off his hip injury and he will play at centre for Town, but two of the forwards are, in some doubt.

The big Lincoln College

lock, Albert Anderson, has an infected ear and, if he is unable to play, his replacement will be Linwood’s Mike Fransen, who has made a favourable impression in senior club rugby. Jock Hobbs, the roving Christchurch flanker, is recovering from influenza. If he is not well enough, Mark Meates will take his position oh the side of the scrum.

Country’s main strength appears to be its loose forward trio of John Masefield, Don Hayes and Ross Loffhagen. Their job, apart from keeping their opposites in check, will be to disrupt the Town inside backs.

It will be an imposing duty.

The teams are:— TOWN: Robbie Deans; Brett Oetgen, Simpson, Randal Scott; Kieran Keane, Wayne Smith; Steve Scott; Peter McLaren; Hobbs or Meates, Dave White, Anderson or Fransen, Dale Atkins; Pat O’Byrne, Mick Powley, Murray Davie. Reserves: Gary Barkle, Rod Latham, Craig Green; Rob Mclntosh, Gwynn Williams. COUNTRY: Stewart Boon; Ross Saunders, Kevin Allen, Lamen Hohaia; Bruce Dunbar, Alan Devlin; John Munro; Masefield; Hayes (captain), Anthony Dalzell, Farmer or Higginson, Loffhagen; Phil Waghorn, Geoff Wright, John Ashworth. Reserves: Keith Henderson, Kevin Rowe, Darryl Campbell, Graeme Ellis; Gavin Henderson, Richard Loe, Mike Jones.