British coach confident

Press, 2 November 1985, Page 80

British coach confident

NZPA staff correspondent Harrogate The British Rugby League coach, Maurice Bamford, is confident that Britain can turn the tables on New Zealand in the second test at Wigan tomorrow. The favourites, New Zealand, narrowly won the first test at Leeds on October 19 but betting is divided for tomorrow after that result. “I am quietly confident as we came very close to upsetting the Kiwis in the first test,” said Mr Bamford, who took over control of the British side this year. “We can give a good account of ourselves and if

Mick Burke hadn’t hit the upright with two goal attempts we would have won the first test,” he said. The British fullback, Burke, hit the upright in the 22nd minute and again just on half-time. Great Britain missed three other scoring chances, one when wing Joe Lydon slipped in endeavouring to beat Gary Kemble and when Kemble saved the day with a brilliant tackle on Britain’s danger man Ellery Hanley just short of the Kiwi goal-line. Ellery is the man New Zealand is scared of. He has played against the .

tourists three times so far scoring twice, once for Yorkshire and once in the first test, with his outrageous change of direction which has completely wrong-footed the New Zealand defence. Britain’s backs are expected to again dominate the game with Hanley, the speedy wing, Lydon, and the halves, Deryck Fox and Tony Myler, spearheading the play. The British pack is stronger with the inclusion of experienced Jeff Grayson, who has just been bought by Leeds.

The teams are: New Zealand: Gary Kemble, Dean. Bell, James Leuluai, Gary Prohm, Dane O’Hara, Oslen Filipaina, Clayton Friend, Kurt Sorensen, Howie Tamati, Dane Sorensen, Graeme West, Mark Graham : (captain), Hugh McGahan. Reserves: Fred Ah Kuoi, Sam Stewart. Great Britain: Mick Burke, Des Drummond, Garry Sehofield, Ellery Hanley, Joe Lydon, Tony Myler, Deryck Fox, Jeff Grayson, David Watkinson, John Fieldhouse, lan Potter, Andy Goodway, Harry Pinner (captain). Reserve: Shaun Edwards, Chris Arkwright