Weather will dictate positions

Press, 4 May 1984, Page 26

Weather will dictate positions

By

JOHN COFFEY

Richard Hampton returns to the South Island rugby league centres for the match against Central Districts at Greymouth on Sunday, but his partner will not be decided until after an inspection of the ground conditions. If Wingham Park is wet, the strength of the Runanga coal miner, Bernie Green, will be utilised in midfield. But a firm surface would prompt the South coach, Ray Haffenden, to place the elusive Marty Crequer in the centres. “It is also possible they will interchange during the game,” said Mr Haffenden yesterday. “The wing and

centre positions will not be clarified until we train in Greymouth on Saturday afternoon.” The possible relegation of Green to the flank of the back-line will certainly prompt some criticism. In 18 previous appearances for South he has scored 10 tries — two of them against Northern Districts last week. Green and Crequer blended their talents effectively against Northern and Green would be most suited to cancel out the big Central centre, Lance Pupuke. It was in the midfield that Auckland, with the sizeable Joe Ropati and Ron O’Regan, gained one of its

principle advantages over Central on Anzac Day. They capitalised on the comparative inexperience of the other Central centre, Steve Baker, who has returned to the sport after five seasons of rugby union. Central’s outside back formation is also to be clarified. Lou Kupa has been suffering from an ankle injury and if the strapping New Zealand Maoris wing is not available, then Willie Tangira will retain his place. The convener of the Central selection panel, Ossie Butt, was more than satisfied with his team’s display against Auckland and is confident that the return of

the former Kiwi prop, Whare Henry, will further increase the side’s potential. “Our second-rowers, Sam Stewart and Mike Kuiti, were outstanding, but Central lacked a really big forward to damage the Auckland defence,” said Mr Butt. Henry, at 114 kg, certainly has the qualifications. Only 17 when he made his debut for Wellington in 1973, Henry was still raw during the 1977 World Cup series. He is reported to be keen to make another challenge for national recognition. Henry adds depth to a Central front-row which already includes another former Kiwi, Paul Te Ariki, and a New Zealand trialist,

Chappie Pine. The considerable mobility of the South trio, Wayne Dwyer, Wayne Wallace and Ross Taylor, should compensate for what they concede in weight. “We will work on a similar pattern to that used against Northern, and build upon it,” said Mr Haffenden. “A few little things needed to be plucked out, some others refined — just like a jigsaw puzzle.” Lawrence Hale was yesterday chosen as the South reserve forward, replacing John de Goldi, who suffered an ankle injury on Wednesday night. If South wins, and Auckland, as expected, has too much skill for Northern at

Huntly tomorrow, then the Travelseekers championship will have a true grand final when the unbeaten teams meet at Auckland on May 20. The teams are.— Central: G. Lajpold; D. Uiuave, L. Pupuke, S. Baker, L. Kupa or W. Tangira; G. Katene, G. Campbell; W. J. Henry, C. Pine, P. Te Ariki; M. Kuiti, S. Stewart; B. Harvey. Reserves: P. Griffiths, P. Henry. South: R. L. Alfeld; B. J. Green, M. P. Crequer, R. Hampton, P. Connell; D. C. Field, G. Gibb; W. P. Dwyer, W. J. Wallace, R. H. Taylor; R. N. Tuuta, S. I. Barrow, B. R. Edkins. Reserves: B. Kilkelly, L. M. Hale.