New players, but same approach

Press, 16 March 1982, Page 17

New players, but same approach

The turnover of students at Lincoln College each year makes the task of the senior coach there different, and to some extent more difficult, than any other in the' grade. It was, therefore, a great achievement by Roger Lough when last season, in his first season with the college’s first XV, he produced a side which not only completed, for the first time, the C.S.B. Cup-Trophy double, but in the process played some excellent rugby. But as Mr Lough, himself, said last week last season is last season and because of the 1981 successes the challenge facing Lincoln College this winter will be even greater. “One thing is for sure, though,” he added, “we will continue to work towards a free-running game,, whatever the results.” The situation at Lincoln College is little different this year. Only about five of last year’s senior squad are still at the college and so far as Mr Lough knows the new intake includes no players who have made names for themselves at junior or under-age levels. One gain, although, perhaps in the wrong position, is the Country lock of last season, Anthony Dalzell, a son of the 1952-53 All Black, Nelson Dalzell. But with the two Canterbury locks, Albert Anderson and Dave White, both back at the College, Dalzell may have to play elsewhere in the scrum if he is to command a permanent position. Apart from White and Anderson, the only,- forward available again is, the prop, Bret Aitkenhead, and the loss of Bruce Deans (to Glenmark) and Craig Green (to Christchurch) means that there are no top players around with which to build a. new backline.

Helping Mr Lough with the backs will be Tom Marks, a former Lincoln College player who has a good deal of coaching experience, most recently with, the West Melton club.

Marist, which lost the C.S.B. Trophy final to Lincoln College last season, will again be coached by Des Hansen and Vance Stewart, and it yean be fairly safely confided that the latter has entered retirement -for ' the last time.

The transfer to Wellington of its captain, Terry Petersen, is a big loss for Marist and Mike Moore and Mike Ryan are both doubtful starters. However, Bernie Stewart will again be calling the shots at first five-eighths and the club’s . very handy full-back, Brian McLean, is due back from England in May.

Marist has a number of young players close to promotion, and two newcomers who are pressing hard for places are Gary Hooper, a No. 8 who played senior

rugby in Wellington last year, and Tom Sullivan, a hooker who has captained West Coast. Hooper is not to be confused with another Garry Hooper, the Marist wing who scores more than his fair share of tries.

Marist might also have the services of Steve Baker, who was the Otago B half-back last season. Baker is also giving some thought to playing for Albion and whichever club secures him will get a good half-back. Albion will not present an easy challenge for its new coach, Fergie McCormick. It has lost five forwards from last season, including such experienced players as Deno Martin, Richard Hawkes and Peter Sutherland.

The retirement of Ainsley Quested is another blow, although Bryce Woodward, from King Country, could prove a perfect replacement full-back. Woodward has played for King Country. The good news for Albion is that it has a number of new members from other areas and that Murray Davie is fully fit again after two injury-ruined seasons.

A dreadful run with injuries wrecked whatever chance High School Old Boys had of championship honours last season and Roley Manning and his new coaching partner, Dave Phillipson, will be hoping for a much better trot, this year.

The club has lost a few players through injuries and transfers; Alex McPhail (now living in Ashburton). Geoff Machirus and Allan Edge are the most notable. Bruce McPhail has also made his retirment complete and the length of Don Symon’s availability will depend on whether he makes the New Zealand rowing team.

But with lan Mather expected to play again and another former Canterbury three-quarter, Don Stewart, now with Old Boys, the backline should at least be as strong as last year and Greg Sparrow, a lock from Glenmark, could prove an ideal understudy for Symon. Murray McEwan's retirement leaves a big gap at<) Christchurch, but the club • has been fortunate to sign up> Craig Green, who showed a' ton of potential with both Lincoln College and Canterbury last winter. John Mika, Chris Baines, Peter Huff and Peter Fife are other serious losses for Christchurch, but the problem the team had last year with half-backs should be solved with Wayne Tinker back from Southland and playing for Christchurch.

Although he played his cricket in the country this summen Robbie Deans will again --be the Christchurch full-back and his goal-kicking should aid considerably Christchurch’s bid to regain its N'o.l spot in the town competition. Npw Brighton can never be under-estimated and it has- few changes from last year, although the coach, Ceddie Smith, could have a locking problem, as both Brent McDonald and Garth Samuels are unavailable. Phil Holstein will only be on hand for a few games before he goes overseas and Brighton supporters will be hoping that Dave Bowick, who was, at one stage, contemplating retirement, sticks to his latest decision to have another season in the No. 15 jersey. Shirley has definitely lost its full-back, Robert Lodge. He is living in Central Otago. His replacement is likely to be Neville Brown, a very handy footballer for University B. The wing, Tawhai Taite, has also moved to the country, while at the same time Shirley has gained Grant

Ellis, who has played for the Sub-unions as a second fiveeighths. . . Otherwise, Shirley will be little changed from last year, with a big pack likely. to once again be its strength. Alan Lindsay, a promising half-back who has understudied Steve Scott at Shirley, has moved on to MerivalePapanui, where he should be welcomed with open arms, as Tony Manarangi has gone overseas, as also has Les Roberts. Merivale-Papanui may also be without .Lindsay Thorn, but it has a number of young players, and new arrivals from other centres, in keen competition for any vacancies, Also expected before the season is too far advanced are two imports from California. Merivale-Papanui will again be led by John Harwood, and lan Culpan and Denis Skipper are other old hands returning to the fray. The former All Black, Richard Wilson, will be at fullback. Linwood has lost its hooker, Lester Ronald, to Manawatu, but has gained John Mills, who hooked for Auckland B last season. The other major gap to ‘be filled is that left by Rod' Latham,

who will be in Scotland playing cricket, at first fiveeighths. There are a number of candidates, and the frontrunner at present is Dean Couch, a Lyttelton product who was an Otago junior representative last season. Another useful newcomer is Jim McLean, a half-back or five-eighths from University B. and Sam Hale, from Hornby, is considering a shift across town. Advancing age has not diminished Terry Mitchell’s ’enthusiasm and Canterbury’s record try-scorer will again be seeking those golden days when he can do no wrong. Burnside might promote some players from its champion under 19 side of last winter, although it has pretty well a 100 per cent retention rate of last year’s team. However, the big lock, John Scully, will not be available early in the season. Burnside could also get Ron Grossi back. He switched to rugby league last year, but has applied for reinstatement to rugby. It' is not certain yet whether John Lindsay, Burnside's most talented player of recent times, will be at first five-eighths or full-back. He. is also coaching the backs, so|

will have a hand in the decision. Belfast should again have plenty of sting in both its forwards and backs, although it has lost its full-back, Brian Hunter. He has returned to Marlborough. John Freeman is likely to return to this position. The experienced forward, Gary Richards, has retired

and Andy Karatea may also be missing. However, offsetting these departures will be the return, after a season off through injury, of the Canterbury hooker, Murray Hall. And one of Hall’s propping partners will be Bill Bush, reportedly keener than ever after his first summer spell for three years. University A, which slipped down the rankings

last season, has lost two key players in Gary Barkle .and Mark Liddicoat, both to the North Island, and Peter McLeod and Adrian Muir are not expected to turn out. Rowing commitments could also keep Mark Meates away from rugby for much, if not all, of the season. . However, University A still has the nucleus of a fine team and although the B side, as always, will be the leftovers it showed considerable improvement last yean, sufficient improvement, in fact, to silence talk about the second University team being dropped from settlor football. The University coaches have still to sort" what they have got to chose from, but one major gain for the club is Warwick Taylor, who was the Otago second five-eighths last season. Suburbs, Sydenham and Hornby are all likely to field much the same sides as last year, although the three clubs report no lack of competition from aspiring juniors. Hornby could hav.e an interesting young fiveeighths -in Dean Cranefield, who played senior rugby in Auckland last winter.