Whittaker threat to Sydenham

Press, 24 September 1983, Page 72

Whittaker threat to Sydenham

John Whittaker, the most durable of all New Zealand rugby league representatives, will almost certainly be making his last appearance at the Show Grounds today. Now 33 years of age, Whittaker extended his international career over a record 13 seasons before announcing his “retirement” from all senior football last year. But he continued to keep active in lower grade games and several weeks ago his Randwick (Wellington) club side called him into its first XIII. He made an immediate impact, and last Sunday Whittaker had the satisfaction of sharing in Randwick’s first provincial championship win since 1976.

It will be to Whittaker

that Randwick will look for inspiration when it confronts Sydenham in the first round proper of the national Tusk Cup knock-out tournament at the Show Grounds today. Although Sydenham managed only a modest, 20-16, victory over Kia Toa at Dunedin last week-end, its players at least have had a taste of cup rugby league and the home draw should be to its advantage. Meanwhile, Runanga (West Coast) faces the prospect of having to overcome a lack of recent serious match practice against the second Wellington side, Upper Hutt, at Wellington tomorrow. If Sydenham and Runanga both fail, Papanui — which opposes either Runanga or Upper Hutt on October 1 — would be the