Two changes to Aust, test team

Press, 26 August 1982, Page 38

Two changes to Aust, test team

PA Wellington A rearranged front row, featuring one new cap and the return of a prodigal son, is the main feature of the Wallaby rugby team’s second test side, named in Wellington yesterday.

The Australian tour selectors have resisted a temptation towards wholesale change after their conclusive defeat in the first international and rung only two changes in the side for the second test on Saturday. Dazzling performances by backs such as the Queenslanders, Ross Hanley and Andrew Slack, and the forwards. Ross Reynolds and Steve Cutler, since the first test, provided food for the selectors' thoughts, and the coach. Bob Dwyer, admitted that yesterday’s selection meeting was one of the most difficult he has had to attend. But after long deliberation, the selectors — Mr Dwyer, Dr Chilla Wilson and Mark Ella settled on a side littlechanged from the first test 15, electing only to bolster the power of the front row. The introduction of heavy artillery in the form of the loosehe’ad prop, John Meadows, and the hooker, Lance Walker, indicates an effort to match the All Blacks up front but leaves the first test incumbents, John Coolican and Bruce Malouf. with hard-luck stories. Walker is the only new cap in the side, seizing his opportunity in two matches since the first test to lift his personal star higher than that of the hapless Malouf. At 105 kilograms, he outweighs Malouf by almost 14 kilos, and is recognised by

Mr Dwyer as a tighter and more forceful player at scrums and breakdowns. Mr Dwyer made a special effort to point out that Malouf had done nothing to harm his chances but that Walker had been preferred because of his weight, his drive in the tight and his controlled throwing to the line-out. Walker managed to combine well against Waikato on Tuesday with the test halfback. Phillip Cox, finding a useful channel for quick clearances from the scrum. He has established a reputation for his precise throwing at line-outs, easing the ballwinning problems of the locks, while Maloufs combination with the tall men has often been questioned. The test veteran, Meadows, makes a prodigal return at loosehead prop after his surprise omission from the first test side. On that occasion, John Coolican won selection largely for his greater bulk and for his mastery of the All Black, Gary Knight, in an early tour match against Manawatu. Meadows brings the experience of 17 test caps to the front row and though lighter and more mobile than Coolican, he shares Walker’s commitment to the tight. Mr Dwyer again assured reporters than Coolican had not been displaced through poor form, but rather had been overtaken in a battle of bulk against experience. In a weighty but mobile

front row, Andy Mclntyre has retained his place at tighthead prop, on merit and regardless of the injury to his test opponent, John Griffiths.

The Waikato match had a timely providence for .the wing, Peter Grigg, and centre, Gary Ella, two players who retained their first test positions in the face of stiff competition. Grigg faced a strong challenge for his right wing place from the 20-year-old Queenslander, Hanley, clinching the selectors’ favour with a twotry performance on Tuesday. Ella appeared to be lagging behind the experienced Queenslander. Andrew Slack, in a confrontation for selection at centre but Mr Dwyer waxed lyrical at a press conference after the team announcement yesterday about his ■ defensive form against Waikato. Mr Dwyer said he was particularly impressed with the manner in which the 21-year-old had controlled his former All Black opposite, Arthur Stone, and said his defensive ability would be of value to the tourists. The team is: Roger Gould. Grigg, Gary Ella. David Campese, Michael Hawker, Mark Ella (captain); Phillip Cox. Peter Lucas. Simon Poidevin. Duncan Hall. Steve Williams. Chris Roche; Mclntyre. Walker. Meadows.

Reserves.—Forwards: John Coolican. Bruce Malouf. Steve Cutler. Backs: Dominic Vaughan. Glen Elia. Andrew Slack.