Shield build-up worries Mr Wyllie

Press, 27 September 1982, Page 36

Shield build-up worries Mr Wyllie

By KEVIN McMENAMIN

The Canterbury rugby selector-coach, Mr Alex Wyllie, has departed from normal practice before a home game in an attempt to improve Canterbury's prematch build-up for Wednesday’s Ranfurly Shield defence against WairarapaBush.

Canterbury will stay in a hotel tomorrow night. Mr Wyllie was not happy with the build-up to Saturday’s match against Counties. The players made their own way to .Lancaster Park and some had to park their cars some distance from the ground.

“Time together before a big match is very important in getting the right mental attitude,” said Mr Wyllie. “We had it right before the Wellington game, but it was not there to the same extent on Saturday.”

The same 15 players who retained the shield for Saturday will contest the final challenge of the season against Wairarapa-Bush. There are no injuries and the selector. Mr Alex Wyllie, said yesterday that he saw no need for any changes.

Mr Wyllie has a lot of respect for Wairarapa-Bush and he is expecting another hard game on Wednesday. “Wairarapa-Bush has sortie

very good players and it has had a solid first season in the first division. I am sure Brian Lochore (the selectorcoach) will have the team well prepared.” The Canterbury team had a light training run in South Hagley Park yesterday morning and later attended as guests, the Marist club's end-of-season prize-giving function. It will have another run at Rugby Park tonight. The team for Wednesday is:— Robbie Deans; Garry Hooper, Victor Simpson, Craig Green; Warwick Taylor, Wayne Smith; Bruce Deans; Dale Atkins; Don Hayes, Kerry Mitchell, Albert Anderson, Jock Hobbs; Murray Davie, John Mills, John Ashworth.