Kiwi coach impressed

Press, 26 April 1984, Page 27

Kiwi coach impressed

Graham Lowe, the New Zealand rugby league coach and co-selector, had considerable praise for South Island after its 42-10 win over Northern Districts at the Show Grounds on Tuesday night. “South Island certainly looked exciting. It produced a style of football that I wanted to see during the Travelseekers series, and I hope that the other districts

follow the lead,” said Mr Lowe. When asked to comment on individual players Mr Lowe said that “Wayne Wallace had a big game, David Field filled his normal general’s role, Wayne Dwyer impressed, especially in the first half ... but it is too hard to pick them out. I could name all of them.” Mr Lowe’s obvious satisfaction — he compared

South’s performance with the manner in which Auckland dominated the 1983 championship — certainly bodes well for southern contenders for the Kiwi team to tour Britain and France next year.

“There was obviously good discipline in the South team. It stuck to its planned pattern and tried plenty of positive moves. If they did not come off, then the

players immediately set them up again and usually they worked,” said Mr Lowe. But he did have one criticism. Some first-time tackles were missed, fleeting lacks of concentration which could prove costly against more skilled opposition. Northern failed to capitalise and, to its credit, South was able to cover the errors.