Springboks under Kiwi wing

Press, 11 January 1986, Page 11

Springboks under Kiwi wing

NZPA London The giant Kiwi forward, Graeme West, will be looking to add the scalp of Hull Kingston Rovers to his collection when he leads Wigan in the John Player Special league trophy final at Leeds tomorrow.

West, aged 31, skippered his side to a classic Challenge Cup win over Humberside’s other top side, Hull, at Wembley last year. After the final whistle he described the 28-24 win as “one of the greatest sporting occasions of my life.” The rugged tight forward is the only New Zealander named in the side following the “offloading” of the Northlander, Danny Campbell, to make way for the Springbok forward, Rob Louw. Wigan signed Louw and his fellow South African, Ray Mordt, forcing them to reduce their quota of overseas players. The 99kg Campbell, aged 26, has been with Wigan for seven seasons and shared the club’s victory when he came on as a substitute in the Challenge Cup last year. He has been offered contracts by several first division clubs in England but has not made a final decision.

West is one of just two New Zealanders likely to take the field this week-end. The trophy holder, Hull Kingston Rovers, were expected to include Gordon

Smith in the backline. Smith, who has spent several matches on the sideline this season due to injury, was named at scrum half for Rovers in their last match.

The Kiwi test centre, Gary Prohm, will miss the clash. Prohm, who was recently awarded “Open Rugby” magazine’s medal as the outstanding player of 1985, faced a two-match suspension after being ordered off for an alleged late tackle against Widnes on December 15. The ban was due to be lifted after a mid-week

match against Castleford but following its postponement due to bad weather Prohm will be forced to spend another day on the bench.

Prohm’s absence will not be the only worry for the coach, Roger Millward, who may have to field a team without three other first string players who are injured. Wigan has named Mordt in its side following his impressive debut in the team’s 42-0 win over Swinton last week-end.

He steps in to replace the more experienced Colin Whitfield on the right wing.

The former Springbok’s credentials as a rugby league wing have since been endorsed by the Wigan chairman, Jack Hilton, who said after Sunday’s match: “He’s got what it takes. He’s brave, he runs straight, he knows where the try line is and he knows when to stay outside.”

Mordt has admitted to “relishing the challenge” of his switch from union to league. “The Times” reported him as saying: “I know I can make it. Against Swinton I felt so good I wanted to let rip on my own but Wigan are a great team side and the coaches like everybody to play to a team plan ... that suits me.”