Rufer in squad for Chch

Press, 3 February 1982, Page 36

Rufer in squad for Chch

The talented newcomer, Wynton Rufer, is included in a squad of 15 players named yesterday by the New Zealand World Cup soccer coach, John Adshead, for the side’s match against Hungary, at Christchurch on February 14. The squad is: Frank Van Hattum, Barry Pickering, Bobby Almond, John Hill, Peter Simonsen, Keith Mackay, Brian Turner, Duncan Cole, Wynton Rufer, Sam Malcolmson, Adrian Elrick, Ken Cresswell, Glen Adam, Billy McClure, Allan Boath.

Most of the seven remaining members of the 22-man squad for Spain will have playing commitments in Australia on the day of the Christchurch game, but a few of those, namely Steve Sumner, Grant Turner, Steve Wooddin and Richard Wilson, might play in the Auckland match against Hungary on February 11, Mr Adshead said.

Those players would be returning to Australia after the first test to play in the Philips League, which started on February 14.

Mr Adshead said he had made an earlier commitment to the clubs and players concerned that he would not be making any calls on them until training for the World Cup finals began in May.

“We made firm assurances. The Hungary game has only been confirmed at very late notice,” he said. “But it is not disappointing from my point of view because, although they are key players (who are unavailable), key players are not always there. • “It gives us a marvellous opportunity to still field a very good side and look at players that are immediate cover players for those that are missing,” he said. “And it does give the players such as Peter Simonsen and Billy McClure the opportunity to make a bid for the side.” Mr Adshead said that these players would be looking to perhaps clinch places in the final eleven in Spain. “They haven’t been playing a lot of World Cup football but they really have been knocking on the door to be selected,” he said. Of the others, Ricki Herbert will be staying in England, where he is bidding to join the first divison club, Southampton, while Dave Bright will remain in Melbourne. Another Melbournebased player, Glen Dods, was still under suspension by FIFA, the world governing body, said Mr Adshead: "So he is not available for selection.”

Mr Adshead also confirmed that the 18-year-old Wellington striker, Rufer, would be freed from his commitments with the English second division side, Norwich City, to play in both matches.