Major rugby award

Press, 5 October 1984, Page 10

Major rugby award

Canterbury still has to beat Bay of Plenty in the last Ranfurly Shield challenge at Lancaster Park tomorrow to complete another notable rugby season for the province.

But on Sunday the spotlight will switch to the Old Orchard, where the Canterbury Rugby Supporters’ Club will hold its annual dinner and presentation of awards. After the success of last year’s dinner it is not surprising that all tickets have been sold for some weeks.

The major award, of

“player of the year,” has grown considerably in prestige since it was first presented 15 years ago, and with Canterbury having so many All Blacks at present the winner this year will, indeed, be honoured. ■There are three previous winners who must all be good chances again, John Ashworth (1980), Robbie Deans (1982) and Don Hayes (1983). However, just about the whole team will have to be considered, and special thought given to those who kept the side afloat while the seven All Blacks were in Australia.

The panel which will make the choice is a little larger than usual. It comprises George Stove, the president of the Linwood club and a popular figure in rugby, Derek Jones, of trotting fame, Trevor Smith, the chairman of the supporters’ Club, and three media representatives, Barry Corbett (3ZB), Brian Cowley (Christchurch Star) and Kevin McMenamin (“The Press”).

The master of ceremonies will be Sir Ronald Scott and the guest speaker is Radio New Zealand’s top rugby commentator, John Howson.