No shield pain in Wgtn clash

Press, 19 September 1985, Page 52

No shield pain in Wgtn clash

If the captain, Don Hayes, has his way Canterbury will not be affected by any postshield depression when it plays its national championship rugby match against Wellington at Lancaster Park on Saturday. “I guess all the players have been a bit down this week, but what is past is past, and I am sure there will be a positive attitude there by Saturday,” said Hayes yesterday. He said Wellington was always a respected opponent and “one Canterbury likes to beat.” “I would hope that we can get out there and play some good football. It may even be easier to do so without the shield to worry about.” Also, said Hayes, Canterbury owed it to its public to play well. “After all the nice things that have been said about us since Saturday, we certainly don’t want to fall on our faces with a poor effort.” Hayes said that it would delight the Canterbury team to see a big crowd at Lancaster Park on Saturday. “It would be nice to think that even though the shield has gone, that the support is still there.” As to his own feelings this week, Hayes said he had tried not to think too much about last Saturday’s game. “I have kept my mind on my work and that’s helped,” he said. On Saturday, Hayes will captain Canterbury for the ninety-ninth time and, all going well, he should reach his century against Manawatu next week. Canterbury will probably be without Dale Atkins and perhaps Craig Green on Saturday. Both were bracketed with other players when the team was named after training last evening. Atkins is still trying to overcome the knee injury he has had for some weeks, and which forced him to leave the field early last Saturday. He has been bracketed with Andy Earl

at No. 8 and this movement of Earl brings Tony Thorpe back into the side as one of the locks. Green has been laid low with the flu this week, but he should be fit by Saturday. If not, Joe Leota, will take his place on the left wing. The Canterbury team is: Robbie Deans; Craig Green or Joe Leota, Victor Simpson, Dennis Woods; Warwick Taylor, Wayne Smith; Bruce Deans; Dale Atkins or Andy Earl; Hayes, Albert Anderson, Tony Thorpe, Jock Hobbs; Chris Earl, John Buchan, Murray Davie. Reserves: Allan Lindsay, Wayne Burleigh, Keiran Flynn, Pat O’Gorman, Brett Dixon. The Wellington team has also been announced, and back in his usual position of full-back is Allan Hewson. He has been used mainly at first five-eighths this season, but with Evan Hopkins still recovering from the concussion he suffered against Auckland two weeks ago, Hewson has reverted to full-back. The team has been weakened by injuries and there is some doubt about Murray Mexted’s fitness. He has a poisoned leg and, in the meantime, has been bracketed at No. 8 with his cousin, Fraser Mexted. There is also a bracket at lock. Gerard Wilkinson will play if he has recovered sufficiently from an ankle injury. If not Steve Hinds will take his place. The Wellington team is: Allan Hewson; Bernie Fraser, Bryan Breen, Mike Clamp; Dave Ngatai, Mark Gray; Peter Barlow; Murray or Fraser Mexted; Dirk Williams, Murray Pierce, Gerard Wilkinson or Steve Hinds, Grahame Duffy; Scott Crichton, Dave . Mahanga, Brian McGrattan. Reserves: Neil Sorensen, Murray Tocker; Wilkinson or Hinds, Nigel Hughes.