Mr Upston: ‘Hewson invaluable’

Press, 5 July 1985, Page 32

Mr Upston: ‘Hewson invaluable’

PA Wellington The long-serving Wellington coach, Mr lan Upston, is unhappy with the treatment of Allan Hewson, rejected by the All Black selectors. Mr Upston said he could not understand why Hewson had been used as a reserve for each of this season’s domestic tests, and then left out of the South Africa tour party. “If he was only there as a caretaker while Deans recovered, why didn’t they take the chance to give some younger guy a bit of experience of top rugby atmosphere? ” he said. Mr Upston felt Hewson would have been “invaluable” in South Africa, and rejected charges that his defensive weaknesses would have made him a liability. “They have said that about him plenty of times before, and he has never let the All Blacks down,” he

said. “His ball skills are so much better than anyone else.” Hewson said yesterday he had no prior indication from the selectors that he would miss out. “I felt that being in the squad, I must have had a reasonable chance, but you never count your chickens—there is always the chance that you won’t make it.” Hewson’s rejection signals the end of his first-class career. He said he would tell Upston of his wish to pull out of the Wellington side. “I might just play one more game and then give it away. There is no point in carrying on when I could move over and give some younger guy a chance.” If Hewson does play for Wellington against Horowhenua on July 14, it will be his 100th game for the union.