Lions coach perplexed

Press, 29 June 1983, Page 44

Lions coach perplexed

By

JOHN BROOKS

The Lions’ coach, Mr Jim Telfer, looked a worried man as he contemplated the third test in Dunedin on Saturday after his team’s defeat by Canterbury yesterday. He acknowledged shortcomings in the Lions’ performance, such as the shallow alignment of the backs, the uncertainty of the clearances under pressure, and some untidy ball from the forwards. “We have talked about it and worked on it, but it seems that in the heat of the moment they go back to their old habits,” he sighed. Mr Telfer said the most disappointing aspect of the game for him was that the Lions had frittered away control after recovering from a nine-point deficit to take the lead in the third quarter. “It seems that after scoring points we have a terrible struggle in our own half.” He was partially hear-

tened by "the three very good tries” scored by the Lions, but he admitted that Canterbury was well organised. He named Dale Atkins, the Canterbury No. 8, as a man who had played particularly well. Mr Willie John Mcßride, the Lions’ manager, was also disappointed at the loss, but consoled himself with the thought that the Lions had expected a hard game — and got it. “It was messy, we lost control, and made a lot of mistakes,” he said, forthrightly. The Canterbury coach, Mr Alex Wyllie, took the victory in his stride. He said the home side did better in set play than he expected, but it did not move the ball through the back-line as much as it would have liked, because of Lions pressure inside. “But it was a good game of rugby,” he said. “Without being silly about it, I wouldn’t have worried if that last kick had gone over.”