Wilson answered his critics by sealing N.Z. hockey spot

Press, 23 September 1983, Page 13

Wilson answered his critics by sealing N.Z. hockey spot

KEVIN TUTTY

When Robin Wilson was chosen for the New Zealand hockey team to play in the Esanda 10-nation tournament in Melbourne last December, he made himself a resolution. In the few weeks that remained before the tournament, Wilson trained to elevate himself to a new peak of fitness, following rigidly the fitness programme set out by the coach, Brian Maunsell. His stoicism in following the schedule to the letter was for one reason. To prove that he had been worthy of selection for New Zealand. Wilson knew there were people in hockey circles, who felt he would be a failure at international level. That he would be too slow.

Wilson proved those critics wrong, and what he achieved in Melbourne was no doubt a satisfactory alternative to being able to thumb his nose at those critics.

“I was aware people criticised my selection. They said I was nowhere near quick enough. I’m sort of flat-footed anyway. But I thought: Well, I’ve got my chance. I’m going to do what I’ve been asked. I also thought about what Cyril Walter (the former Canterbury coach) said over the years about doing the basics — trapping, eluding and passing.” “In Melbourne I just tried to do those things correctly and I think I surprised a lot of people.” Wilson performed those basics so well that after the first game of the tournament — his first international — he became a regular member of the No. I line-up. That first game was against West Germany, the runners-up in the World Cup II months earlier. New Zealand was playing the new 3-3-3-1 formation introduced by Mr Maunsell and Wilson was assigned to mark the opposing centre-forward. He was the centre-back — the middle player in the rear three defenders. The centre-forward in the German team was a swift elusive runner, Heiner Dopp. He had been an integral part of the German World Cup team. But Wilson played his new role superbly that day. He marked the German so effectively that Dopp became totally frustrated, and played a very minor role in the German attack.

New Zealand’s next game was against Australia and Wilson had to mark Terry

Walsh, a highly dangerous centre-forward inside the 25m area, and a player with an extremely high workrate. The game was lost 3-7 after New Zealand was ahead 2-0 after 20 minutes. But it was on the flanks that the damage was done, not through the centre where Walsh was effectively contained by Wilson. It was in New Zealand’s final game though, that Wilson had his toughest test. It was the play-off for third and fourth against the Netherlands, and Wilson was confronted by the

player of the tournament, the elegant and skilful Roderick Bouwmann. New Zealand lost, 1-2, but Bouwmann’s effectiveness as an attacker was tempered by the determined defence of Wilson.

Now, after playing in the five nations tournament in Kuala Lumpur last month, and the two-test series against the Indians in New Zealand a fortnight ago, Wilson is regarded as an established member of the New Zealand side.

Aged 25, the Halkett farmer — the property he farms with his brother adjoins that of Don Hayes, the Canterbury rugby captain — seems destined for a long international career. There is one factor however that might limit his career — his commitment to the farm.

“There is only Gavin and myself on the farm. He and my mother, and Pip (Wilson’s wife, who was a member of the Canterbury B hockey team that won the Floyd Shield in Whangarei

this month) have carried me through so far.” “Everyone wants to go to the Olympics,” said Wilson thinking ahead to next year. “I certainly do and if I’m deemed good enough for the team I’ll go, but after that we will have to wait and see what happens. If I’m still fit and keen I would like to try for the World Cup in London in 1986, but a lot will depend on my situation here (on the farm).”

Wilson is a forthright but sincere character. He has very determined views on the way the game should be played and how players should be coached, and is an unabashed disciple of Cyril Walter, whose influence he was under in the Canterbury squad from 1975 to 1981.

The mere fact that he holds those views will not endear him to many administrators and players around New Zealand.

Wilson still retains the deepest admiration and respect for Mr Walter’s coaching, but he points out that he also has respect for every other coach he has played under. “To be a successful member of a team you have to respect the coach.”

Reverting back to Mr Walter, Wilson said: “People can say what they like about him, but he’s had the greatest influence on me of any coach I’ve had, and I thank him for that.”

“I know I’ve got a lot of critics who don’t agree, but when you’ve been in a team coached by him you know and appreciate his ability.” Wilson’s elevation to national selection was not smooth. In 1975, his first year out of Riccarton High School, he was reserve for the Selwyn senior team. He was in a Canterbury colts’ squad of 18, but was one of three players dropped from the final team. The next season Wilson played for the Selwyn seniors and within a matter of weeks was selected in the Canterbury senior squad of 25. In three years in the squad he played four games for Canterbury B which, in those days, had a limited number of games. In his fourth year in the Canterbury squad Wilson finally won a place in the A team. He played at the national tournament in Blenheim, but it was not an auspicious year for Canterbury. It was beaten by Auckland in the semi-finals and finished third.

A year earlier he was selected in the New Zealand colts. That was his first involvement at national level, and it did not take him long to earn recognition by the senior selectors. He was chosen for New Zealand trials after the national tournament in Auckland in 1980, and a a year later was made non-travelling reserve for the World Cup in Bombay. The retirement or loss overseas of three defenders after the World Cup left the way open for Wilson, and his consistent play at last year’s tournament in Dunedin sealed his place.

Speed, Wilson had been warned, was an essential requirement in international hockey, but he believes the word speed is over-exag-gerated. “More speed is required in the execution of skills, but the basics remain the same and that is what New Zealand has to improve. Let’s face it, the games in the last month have revealed that.”

The Australians, currently the top-ranked team in the world, are no faster over the ground than the New Zealanders, said Wilson. “But they have a flexible style. All 10 field players do the basics equally well. It doesn’t matter at what level you play, you have to do the basics well.”

Asked if he felt the New Zealand team lacked confidence, Wilson conceded there was a slight inferiority complex because the team lacked the financial support and number of international games of its rivals. “But we are good enough to compete with the other teams. The Australians are the best in the world at the moment, but they have the same problems with distance and getting together that we do.”

“Our fourth place in Melbourne brought us some reward from the Sports Foundation. That will allow the players to get together and train more often between now and the Olympics, and that should help understanding among players.”

Training and playing take up most of Wilson’s spare time, but last year he assisted in the formation of a new club in the district. The West Melton and Districts Men’s Hockey Club which played in the Canterbury Hockey Association’s competitions for the first time this season, was guided in its formation by Wilson. The club paid tribute to him for his assistance by making him patron of the new club.