Hewson out of inter-island rugby match

Press, 26 May 1984, Page 72

Hewson out of inter-island rugby match

PA Rotorua Allan Hewson has pulled out of the North Island team for today’s inter-island rugby match and, in a surprise move, Bill Osborne has been called into the reserves.

Hewson suffered a hamstring injury during the team’s first training run on Thursday. He left the field but later rejoined the practice. He did not appear to be running freely at the time and subsequent treatment to the injury has brought no response. He has been replaced by Lindsay Harris, of Auckland. Osborne’s recall is obviously because of the concern by the All Black selectors at the fitness of Steven Pokere and, to a lesser degree, Warwick Taylor. Pokere is receiving treatment for a knee injury and there is still no guarantee he will be passed fit to play for North Island today. Taylor will take his place at second five-eighths for the South, but he has also been receiving treatment for an injury. With the shortage at top level of top mid-field backs, it is apparent that the selectors must be considering applying pressure to Osborne to make himself available for international rugby. Earlier, the South Island received a jolt to its chances when Wayne Smith, the All Black first fiveeighths, was forced to withdraw with a thigh injury. He was replaced by Murray Roulston, of Mid-Canter-bury. Better news for each team was the prospect of

the weather clearing and the ground being in ideal condition. Rotorua has been lashed with rain since the teams first assembled on Thursday when the prospects of fine weather prevailing was remote. But clear skies started to appear early yesterday and with the wind changing it now seems certain there will be a fine, if cool, day. The North Island, with its strong forwards, has emerged as a hot favourite to win the match. Its pack will considerably outweigh the South and will also enjoy greater height in the lineout. But the South Island backline, even without the services of Smith, has looked sharp, and given a reasonable share of possession the team could surprise.

The teams are.— North Island: Lindsay Harris (Auckland); John Kirwan (Auckland), Steven Pokere (Auckland), Bernie Fraser (Wellington); Arthur Stone (Waikato), Grant Fox (Auckland); Andrew Donald (Wanganui); Murray Mexted (Wellington); Grant Dickson (Auckland), Andy Haden (Auckland, captain), Gary Whetton (Auckland), Mark Shaw. (Manawatu); Gary Knight (Manawatu), Hika Reid (Bay of Plenty), Brian McGrattan (Wellington). Reserves.— Backs: Bruce Smith (Waikato), Bill Osborne (Wanganui), Neil Sorensen (Wellington). Forwards: Gary Braid (Bay of Plenty), Kevin Boroevich (King Country), Andy Dalton (Counties). South Island: Robbie Deans (Canterbury); Tony Lewis (Otago), Vic Simpson (Canterbury), Craig Green (Canterbury); Warwick Taylor (Canterbury), Murray Roulston (Mid-Canterbury); David Kirk (Otago); Dale Atkins (Canterbury); Jock Hobbs (Canterbury), Jim Love (Marlborough), Tony Thorpe (Canterbury), Peter Grant (South Canterbury); Murray Davie (Canterbury), Grant Perry (Mid-Canterbury, captain), John Ashworth (Canterbury). Reserves.— Backs: Paul Laidlaw (Southland), Wayne Burleigh (Canterbury), Bruce Deans (Canterbury). Forwards: Don Hayes (Canterbury), Albert Anderson (Canterbury), Michael Hobbs (South Canterbury).