Green making impact for Addington

Press, 16 April 1986, Page 50

Green making impact for Addington

The outstanding form displayed by John Green during the first month of the rugby league season bodes well for his firstclass debut for Canterbury against Waikato at the Show Grounds on the night of April 24.

Green and the other newcomer to the Canterbury second-row, Glenn Grut, have a difficult task filling the gaps left by the experienced Paul Truscott and the highly talented 1985 Kiwi, Adrian Shelford. So confidently and

forcefully has Green performed for Addington that he should have no problems moving up from club to inter-provincial football.

That step will also be made easier by his experiences in the Canterbury second XIII last winter and, more particularly, with the Keighley club in the British second division during the last southern summer.

Canterbury’s coach, Ray Haffenden, said that Addington and its playercoach, John Tapiata,

showed commendable foresight in sending Green, in company with Adam Fisher and Steve Mather, to Keighley. “Green has been looking very good,” said Mr Haffenden. “I have been impressed with his enthusiasm, his attitude and high level of fitness.” Not that the rugged Addington forward was

ever without more than the usual measure of potential. In 1983 he was a team-mate of Shelford and Brent Todd in the Junior Kiwis side which shared the two-match home series against the British amateur youth tourists, Green being a try-scorer in New Zealand’s decisive win in the second'fixture. If he continues with the

rampaging runs and fearsome tackles which have marked his appearances since returning from Britain, Green might one day be reunited with Shelford and Todd in a full New Zealand pack.

Green made sufficient impact on experienced observers in Britain to earn selection in the second division “team of the month” listed by the

prestigious "Open Rugby” magazine in mid-season. His impact on numerous opponents since he resumed with Addington has been just as indelible.

“There has been a noticeable improvement in his skills, and that is largely an attitude thing. He knows a lot more about football now, and about what is required of him,” said Mr Haffenden.