Canterbury in need of big win today

Press, 14 July 1982, Page 52

Canterbury in need of big win today

By

KEVIN McMENAMIN

With its first national championship match just over a week away, the Canterbury rugby team will be anxious to boost its confidence with a good win against South Canterbury at Timaru’s Fraser Park this afternoon.

The recent losses to MidCanterbury and the New Zealand Maoris have raised fresh doubts about Canterbury’s worth and a third loss today could have a very serious effect on team morale. However, it will be surprising if Canterbury doesn't win. It is fielding a strong side, and could be very close to the one the coach. Alex Wyllie, will put into the field against Waikato at Lancaster Park on Sunday week. The most, serious failing against Mid-Canterbury and the Maoris was lack of possession and with .no Jock Ross or Hud Rickit jumping against them today, the locks, Albert Anderson and Kerry Mitchell, should be able to increase the flow of line-out ball. The inclusion of two fast loose forwards, Jock Hobbs and Kerry Flood, should also help Canterbury overcome its possession problems and

with John Ashworth back as a prop the scrum is unlikely to fold like it did in Ashburton. It will be an important game for the hooker, John Mills. He . will need a good performance, with not too many tight-heads lost, if he is to re-establish himself ahead of Gwyn Williams as the first choice. The Canterbury backline is one of exciting potential. Wayne Smith returns as first five-eighths and if his talents can be harnessed to those of Victor Simpson and Garry Hooper in the three-quarters the game should not remain tryless for long. South Canterbury has had only one outing so far this season, and it, too, has been beaten by Mid-Canterbury. This was at Queen's Birthday when Mid-Canterbury came from 0-12 down at half-time to win, 22-12. ■ South Canterbury has two very able and experienced

flankers in Noel Glass and Peter Grant and how well they tackle could have an important bearing on the match. But the fact remains that Canterbury is a first division side at, or very close to, full strength and at this stage of the year it should be able to come down heavily on a second division team, more especially one which has had no game for five weeks. The teams are.— Canterbury: Robbie Deans; Garry Hooper. Victor Simpson. Bill Anderson. Craig Green. Wayne Smith; Bruce Deans; Jock Hobbs; Kerry Flood, . Albert Anderson. Kerry Mitchell. Don Hayes; Murray' Davie, John Mills. John Ashworth. South Canterbury: Barry Gallagher; Paul Carter. Robin Heron. Clive Callow, Lloyd Proctor, Barry Fairbrother; Paul Morris; Mick Smale; Noel Glass, Duncan Bell, Ross Grant, Peter Grant; Kevin Williams. Mick Hobbs, Tony Hand.