Uncertainties in Canty backline

Press, 10 April 1986, Page 40

Uncertainties in Canty backline

By

KEVIN McMENAMIN

The Canterbury rugby coach, Alex Wyllie, was some distance away from finalising his team for Sunday’s A.G.C. South Pacific championship match against Auckland at Lancaster Park on Sunday after training last night. Most of the uncertainties are in the backs. In some cases they are because of injuries and illness, but it could well be that Mr Wyllie wants to keep Auckland guessing as to the mid-field combination. Even the players would not have learnt much from the training, as Mr Wyllie kept switching the combinations. One thing for sure is that Stephen Bachop, the 19-year-old first fiveeighths from Linwood, will play his first game for Canterbury on Sunday. He has been named in the position and it could well be the start of a notable career in big rugby/ As one observer noted when watching Bachop in action last night: “He can do just about everything Wayne Smith can do.” Outside Bachop will probably be Wayne Burleigh, but it could be Victor Simpson. If it is Simpson then Steve Hansen will be at centre. Burleigh does have stitches above the eye, the result of a cut he received in club rugby last Saturday, although he seems confident that he will be

fit to play. The wings also have three players vying for two positions. Craig Green has a hamstring injury, suffered at the Hong Kong sevens last week-end, and he gives himself about a 50-50 chance of being fit enough. If so, then . it will be between Garry Hooper and Joe Leota for the right wing, with Hooper in some doubt because of a bout of influenza. The only complication in the forwards is at No. 8 where Dale Atkins has both the flu and a slight groin injury. Grant Mickell has been bracketed with him. So the team goes something like this: Robbie Deans; Craig Green, Garry Hooper or Joe Leota; Victor Simpson or Steve Hansen; Simpson or Wayne Burleigh; Stephen Bachop; Bruce Deans; Dale Atkins or Grant Mickell; Jock

Hobbs, Albert Anderson, Andy Earl, Don Hayes (captain); Chris Earl, John Buchan, Murray Davie. One of the keenest competitions within the squad has been between Buchan and the All Black, John Mills, for the hooking spot. Buchan has obviously won the first round. Mr Wyllie spent a good deal of time last evening on scrummaging practice, for the reason that the South Pacific series will be played under international laws. This means the ball can be held in scrums. “Some of our guys have not had to push in scrums for two years, and we certainly don’t want to be caught out here, especially by the Australian sides, which have not had their scrums changed," said Mr Wyllie. He said that because he moved players around so much it was a messy training, but the attitude was good and he was confident Canterbury would give a good account of itself. “The simple fact that the opposition is Auckland is a spur and we certainly want to do well in the series. Another goal is wanting to make sure that we are in it again next year.” Mr Wyllie said a win on Sunday was important. “A loss is a bad start to any competition, more especially as our second game is against New South Wales in Sydney. It is not going to be easy to win over there.”