Kiwi coach calls for commitment

Press, 26 April 1983, Page 52

Kiwi coach calls for commitment

PA Wellington The Kiwi rugby league coach, Graham Lowe, has called for a greater commitment from those contesttag the Sony inter-dis-trict series as a build-up to the twin tests with Australia in mid-year. “I’m looking for players prepared to crawl over broken glass to make the Kiwi team for the first game at Carlaw Park on June 12,” said Mr Lowe, of Auckland, in his first season after succeeding Ces Mountford* don’t like saying it, but as awful lot of players I

saw in the Central Districts match with the South Island on Saturday lacked application. “A lot seemed to be playing with no idea it was a virtual Kiwi trial. With so few matches at this level they are all important. “They'll need to puli their fingers out if they want to be considered.” Mr Lowe emphasised that with the Kiwis beaten last year in both tests against Australia, and all but the hooker, Howard Tamiti, scattered about the league world, there was-fplenty of room for others to push

their claims. While 12 of the 13 Kiwis of last season were now playing with success in Britain or Australia, Mr Lowe said - there was no guarantee they would continue to justify selection. “We have to come up with a side that is going to win. I’m confident we can,” he said. Referring to the South Island’s 14-13 victory over Central, the defending districts champion, in Wellington on Saturday, Mr Lowe said that while the muddy conditions were testing there was too much dropped

ball. But while reluctant to single out individuals, he said that he was highly encouraged by the play of the fiery Central forward, Peter Meliars, of Petone, who started the game in the second row before being shifted to his international position last year of prop. This immediately straightened out a previously ineffectual Central scrum. In fact, the first seven scrums of the second half all went to Central. In spite of some inspired tfork from Meliars the generally raw, smaller Central

forwards were overshadowed by their opposites on a clinging Rugby League Park. In spite of Central’s forward shortcomings it still looked capable of winning when the full-back, Dick Uluave, brust through to score near the posts, and Gary Campbell converted to cut the deficit to a single point with 20 minutes left. While both teams had opportunities in the last quarter the period tended to be overshadowed by repeated dropped ball, which brought 'continued scrappi&ss. ' In the meantime, Mr

Lowe, just back from viewing the various Kiwis in Sydney, will be having a further look, possibly next wcc • And on May 7 he and his fellow selectors, Gary Clarke, Bill O’Callaghan, Bill Sorensen and Ossie Butt, will name their squad for the ’ Huntly training camp from May 15-20. The Kiwi side to meet Australia on June 12 will be named on May 29 after Auckland has played the touring Hutt side. The other test is in Brisbane on July 9. South-Central match report, page 34