Eyes on England league tour slots

Press, 3 July 1985, Page 64

Eyes on England league tour slots

PA Whangarei Several Northern Districts players are aiming to make a big enough impact in today’s rugby league match against the touring Australians to reserve themselves a place in the New Zealand team to tour England in October. The Northern coach, Tony Gordon, believes there are three or four players with an outstanding chance of making that tour party, and he also reckons his young side can give the Kangaroos a good run this afternoon at Okara Park. “There is going to be a lot of pressure on them, and they could be lacadaisical after going 2-0 up in the test series. But it comes down to professionalism and they are true professionals who can lift themselves again,” Mr Gordon said. Northern Districts arrived here at lunchtime yesterday and had a good twbhour training session. This season has been one of Northern’s best under new coach Tony “Tank” Gordon and the team comprises some young enthusiastic players.

Mr Gordon rates his inside back combination of Russell Stewart and Glen Donaldson as the best in the

districts this season. “And Neville Ramsey is the best loose forward in New Zealand today,” he said. “We have three exciting young backs. Besides Donaldson and Stewart, I think Pihama Green could go a long way, and Shane Horo is a good winger.” Pint-sized Waikato utility Ramsey played scrum-half in the Kiwi trials, and can be a handful in any role. He prefers loose forward, and says he will be giving everything today. Northern was watching video tapes of the two tests last evening and was due to have another run-out this morning. The Kangaroos also arrived yesterday, and had a hard physical workout. The coach, Mr Terry Fearnley, said they needed a good run yesterday after a rest the day before, and he would be giving them a ball workout this morning. Mr Fearnley has been forced to keep his two test wingers and full-back in the side for today because of a minor injury pile-up. Locals will get a chance to see Garry Jack and John Ribot, who were responsible for the Kiwis’ downfall on Sunday, Ribot scoring a try from a pass by Jack, and John Ferguson in action.

Mr Fearnley said he was going to rest Jack because he had been suffering mild concussion after the test. “But I have a bit of a problem with centres Mai Meninga and Chris Close. I would have rested Jack, but I was told he would be okay,” he said. Meninga, who has a groin strain, and Close, who has a strained leg muscle, were not considered. Mr Fearnley said they were expected to be fit for next Sunday’s test. The hooker, Greg Conescu, was another not considered. He has a bad facial cut, suffered in the first match against South Island, which will not heal. The teams: Australia: Garry Jack. John Ribot, Michael O'Connor, Steve, Ella, John Ferguson, Wally Lewis (captain), Des Hasler, Wayne Pearce, Wally FullertonSmith, Noel Cleal, Peter Tunks, Ben Elias, Greg Dowling. Reserves: Mark Murray, Steve Roach. Northern Districts: George Huriwai, Terry Rapana, Walter Toka, Pihama Green, Shane Horo, Russell Stewart, Glen Donaldson, Thomas Murray, Trevor Clark, Darren Harris, Mark Horo, Ray Campbell, Neville Ramsey. Reserves: Poko Daniels, Derek Nukunuku.