All Black side retained

Press, 27 June 1983, Page 19

All Black side retained

NZPA staff correspondent Whangarei New Zealand’s rugby selectors recorded a vote of confidence in the All Black side which beat the Lions, 90, in the second test at Wellington 10 days ago, by retaining that team for the third test to be played at Dunedin on Saturday. In maintaining an unchanged squad the selectors, Messrs Bryce Rope, Stan Hill, and Brian Lochore, bowed to the fine performance of this team in the second test and to the overriding rule of selection that it is unwise to change a winning side. Certainly they would have found little temptation to make alterations. The team, forwards most notably, performed superbly in Wellington. Perhaps only two positions in the side were in doubt, those of the Wellingtonians, Allan Hewson, at full-back and Bernie Fraser, on the left wing. Neither has played in the series up to his considerable potential. Hewson has been roundly criticised for his tendency, possibly a reaction to his recent period of illness, to hang off the high

ball or to range too often out of position. Fraser has experienced handling problems in the two test matches to date which have made him an almost ineffective attacking weapon. It had been rumoured before the announcement of the third test team at Whangarei on Saturday evening that the selectors were closely considering the form of both players. Fraser, therefore, might be able to attribute his reselection to the fact that there are very few wings of his calibre available at present while Hewson, who is rumoured to have only narrowly staved off a selection challenge from Canterbury’s Robbie Deans, has won a big personal vote of confidence, one he will definitely have to justify on Saturday. The team is: Allan Hewson; Stu Wilson, Steven Pokere, Warwick Taylor, Bernie Fraser; Wayne Smith; Dave Loveridge; Murray Mexted; Jock Hobbs, Gary Whetton, Andy Haden, Mark Shaw; John Ashworth, Andy Dalton (captain), Gary Knight. Reserves: Backs, Robbie Deans, Arthur Stone, Andrew Donald. Forwards, Geoff Old, Hika Reid, Kevin Boreovich.