Exciting end to rugby tour?

Press, 26 June 1984, Page 36

Exciting end to rugby tour?

NZPA Pukekohe The French rugby tour seems bound for a heady climax when the visitors meet Counties at Pukekohe Stadium today. The French have clearly signalled the view that the visit did not end with the second test loss at Eden Park on Saturday. Today’s match, given Counties penchant for open and attractive rugby, could be the most spectacular of the tour. The scene is set for a fine match. Both France and Counties prefer enterprising rugby, and Pukekhoe Stadium is in a condition to

permit it. It has recovered remarkably from the quagmire which Counties played New South Wales in last week.

France has the motivation to play this match with gusto. The team has an unbeaten record in provincial matches. In the interests of preserving that it has named a team only two players removed from the test XV.

Only the battle-scarred Jean-Pierre Garuet and the injured Laurent Rodriguez have been discarded from France’s second test side.

Garuet is replaced by the tighthead prop, Daniel Dubroca, who threatened his

test position throughout the tour and Rodriguez, who has an injured right hand, is replaced by the fleet, openside forward, Pierre Lacans.

Counties is probably the most adventurous, most unpredictable team in the first division. This unpredictability in recent seasons has probably acted against it, losing matches that should have been won, but it is a team never to be underestimated.

Not surprisingly, the thoughts of the French players have turned to home. It may only take a moment’s distraction today to give Counties a winning chance.