Kiwis still confident

Press, 29 June 1982, Page 32

Kiwis still confident

NZPA Brisbane “Don’t write off New Zealand's test chances yet.” That’s the message from the Kiwi captain, Graeme West, as his touring rugby league team reflects on Sunday's 1631 loss to Queensland. West admits New Zealand will be at long odds for the first test against Australia at Lang Park, Brisbane, on Saturday, but is equally certain the Kiwis can produce an upset. “We were the architects of our bwn downfall against Queensland and you can expect a vast improvement in the- test.” he said yesterday. “They're not superhumans and I rate us a good chance.” After quickly perusing the Australian team yesterday morning, West said it was basically much the same as the Kiwis met in New

land in 1980. “They beat us in both tests then but I believe we are a much better team now. All we have to do is improve our defence which has let us down badly in the two matches we have lost on this tour.” His team had erred in those defeats by not moving up fast while on defence and knocking the opposition down. “We have been waiting for them to come to us and that has been our downfall.” A lack of communication and hesitancy in the ball distribution was another problem but one which should be easily corrected during training this week, he said. West, aged 28. makes no secret of his desire to beat the Australians. He made his Kiwi debut in Australia in 1975 but' there were few happy memories from that

tour, with the Kiwis losing three out of six matches including an 8-36 thumping in the test. “Australia is the only international league team I haven’t beaten and I am keen to put that right,” he said. West has played 12 tests for the Kiwis, which have included a win and a draw against Great Britain and three wins over France. In all he has played more than 30 matches for his country. Next Saturday he will relinquish the captaincy to Mark Graham, who led the Kiwis successfully through Great Britain and France in 1980, where both test series were halved. Graham joined the team from Sydney where he is captain of the North Sydney club side currently riding’ high in the premier championship.