Bryce Rope still sorting out test side

Press, 20 October 1983, Page 44

Bryce Rope still sorting out test side

PA Auckland The All Black coach, Bryce Rope, is still sorting out his shadow test side for the coming rugby tour of Scotland and England. The team had its final training run in Auckland yesterday before flying out last night. Rope said that even though the first of the internationals on the short tour was only three weeks away he was well away from having a first-string line-up in mind. “This is a little more difficult than some other tours in recent years because we really have only about nine players who are established as test players,” he said. The problem was compounded by none of the props or locks having played in a test. Mr Rope does have a side in mind for the tour opener against Edinburgh next Wednesday and this could probably be announced at the first team meeting in Scotland tomorrow night. “If it’s humanly possible I want to play everybody in the first two matches,”-he said. "It is a calculated risk but I believe it is worth taking because with so many new players it is better for them to be blooded as quickly as possible.” There has been criticism of the tour from, among others, Alex Wyllie, the

coach of the successful Canterbury Ranfurly Shield side.

The tour has been seen by these critics as an unnecessary extra burden on players, but both Mr Rope and the team manager, Paul Mitchell, firmly rejected this yesterday. “I believe this tour is absolutely essential,” said Mr Rope. “If we didn't have it we would be going into two tests against France next year cold and if this professional thing gets off the ground then who knows, we may have to blood a few more. I see it as a marvellous opportunity.”

Mr Mitchell said it was hard to understand the criticism as a tour to Argentina had been scheduled all along. The fact that so many of the older players had been unavailable made this replacement tour even more imperative when the Argentina tour had to be scrapped, he said.

“As it turns out we now have an excellent blend for this tour,” said Mr Mitchell. “We have a core of older players such as Stu Wilson, Bernie Fraser and Murray Mexted and this is a great opportunity for them to mix and pass their knowledge on to the young guys. “It’s surprising how quickly the young fellows have settled into the pattern. Already we have the basis of a very good touring party,” Mr Mitchell said.