Clark at Chch, not Wembley

Press, 24 April 1984, Page 48

Clark at Chch, not Wembley

By

JOHN COFFEY

The performance of the Northern Districts hooker, Trevor Clark, will be of particular interest when his side opens its Travelseekers rugby league championship campaign against South Island at the Show Grounds this evening. Earlier this month Clark was just one game away from a British Challenge Cup final at Wembley Stadium, but his aspirations were extinguished when Leeds was beaten by Widnes in the semi-finals. A

Chosen as a replacement for Howie Tamati — who will be going to Wembley with Wigan — in the New Zealand Maoris team which toured England late last year, Clark was so impressive as an all-round forward that he was persuaded by Leeds to stay on. Clark, selected as “man of the match” against South at Huntly last season when in his former role of loose forward, arrived back in this country only four days ago, and his duel with the South hooker, Wayne Wallace, should be a keen con-

7 test. Northern’s coach, Laurie Stubbing, is eager that his team improve upon the very close tussles it has had with South in their two most recent meetings. Last winter Northern also broke through for its first win, at the expense of Central. “We are looking for two wins — three if possible,” said Mr Stubbing. “Northern is finding its identity, and is now adopting a more professional manner.” With Clark in the pack will, be another national J

Maoris forward, Anthony Murray, and a Kiwi trialist, Bill Ashurst. Northern has a strong midfield back combination of one full international, Billy Kells, and two Junior Kiwis, Russell Stewart and Terry Rapana. Ray Haffenden, the South coach, has scheduled another light training run this morning “to finalise a few things.” He is expecting a tight game: “If we do not get on top early, we could have quite a battle. We are certainly not over-confi-dent.” South also has consider-

able flair in the backs, with four Kiwis, Robin Alfeld, Bernie Green, Martin Crequer and David Field, and its forwards have plenty of mobility and a fair measure of experience. There is general agreement that the days of South thrashing Northern — the score was 65-5 when South won the title in 1981 — are past. South survived many anxious minutes before coming from behind to win their last two encounters and another match from that mould is in prospect tonight.