All Blacks expected to win first rugby test today

Press, 1 June 1985, Page 80

All Blacks expected to win first rugby test today

By

KEVIN McMENAMIN

So long as they are not caught napping by a side imbued with a John Bull determination to succeed against the odds, the All Blacks should begin their two-test series against England at Lancaster Park this afternoon with a win.

It would be dangerous, though, for the All Blacks to dismiss this England side too readily. Its Five Nations performances this year were nothing wonderful, but as well as having the advantage of all touring sides of being better prepared for the first test, it does have a strong commitment to winning at least one of the internationals. The 24-6 loss to Auckland last Saturday was a lesson to the tourists of what to expect from a top New Zealand side and in many respects it could have been a salutary one. The players, themselves, certainly seem to think that they are much better off now than they were a week ago. They can quite righty take encouragement, too, from their game against Otago on Tuesday. It fell well short of being a perfect performance, but there were enough good parts to dispel any ideas that the side was not without its redeeming features. From this game, and from the team chosen, it seems likely that England will build its game around the hard men of its pack. The selectors could be stepping back in time if they think that tests can be won by forward muscle alone, but it is a start and muscle, with mobility to match, is one thing the England for-

wards possess in good measure. A more important factor usually nowadays is line-out possession and while England has a top jumper in Steve Bainbridge he will be working pretty much on his own. Bainbridge will probably jump at No. 5, against Murray Pierce, and this should leave Gary Whetton, at the front, and Murray Mexted, at the back, as valuable ball-winners for New Zealand. Both sides have expressed a desire to use their backs, although it would be a gamble for either to get too expansive too early. If the ground is dry the All Blacks may be more inclined to fling the ball wide, especially in the direction of John Kirwan’s wing. This will be the first major international for the All Black’s full-back, Kieran Crowley, who moved into the position on the visit to Fiji at the end of last season. As with his goalkicking, Crowley is a sound rather than brilliant player and he will be conscious as anyone that sitting among the reserves is Allan Hewson. Hewson needs just six points to break Don Clarke’s record total for ,the All Blacks, and, no doubt, “Hewie” would love the opportunity to beat the mark on his home ground of

Athletic Park next week. David Kirk is another All Black who will need a top game if he is to survive to the second test. However, Kirk has a lot of ability and he could even dismiss ideas that he is just keeping Dave Loveridge’s seat warm at half-back. The England backs are something of a mystery. No doubt, the fly-half, Stuart Barnes, will maintain the policy he adopted at Dunedin of standing almost directly behind his halfback. This is usually,' although not always, a kicker’s placement, but if there are any gaps left for him Barnes can be a very dangerous attacker. But further out Paul Dodge is no less gifted. The choice of Huw Davies at full-back widens England’s attacking options, but at the same time it is doubtful if England will be interested in running anything but second-phase ball, at least until it sees what the All Blacks are up to. New Zealand teams, playing at home, have had a few problems with European referees in recent years, if only in their interpretations. The man with the whistle today is an Australian, Kerry Fitzgerald, and he is a referee most of the All Blacks know, and respect.

He has a reputation for playing the advantage law to its fullest, and this is something which could help New Zealand’s cause if it can bring an immediate rhythm to its game. However, in its first-up outing for the year this will not be easy, and that is what the game probably comes down to — How quickly can the All Blacks set their house back in order? If all flows smoothly for them, and with such an experienced side the difficulties are lessened, then New Zealand should kick off. its winter of 1985 with a convincing win. But if rustiness is a problem then England is just the sort of side which could hang in long enough to come home on its opponent’s errors. The teams are: New Zealand.—Kieran Crowley, John Kirwan, Steven Pokere, Craig Green; Warwick Taylor, Wayne Smith; David Kirk; Murray Mexted, Jock Hobbs, Gary Whetton, Murray Pierce, Mark Shaw; Gary Knight, Andy Dalton (captain), John Ashworth. England.—Huw Davies; Simon Smith, Paul Dodge (captain), Jamie Salmon, Mike Harrison; Stuart Barnes, Nigel Melville; Mike Teague; David Cooke, Steve Bainbridge, John Orwin,; John Hall; Gary Pearcei Steve Brain, Paul Huntsman.