Referees targeted

Press, 23 July 1986, Page 68

Referees targeted

NZPA staff correspondent Hamilton The Wallaby coach, Alan Jones, demanded vigilance from New Zealand referees in a prelude to his team’s match against Waikato at Rugby Park, Hamilton today. Mr Jones discounted weather and ground conditions as an influence on his side’s performances on tour but said the consistency of referees was vital. “If I have any concerns, it is about the refereeing,” he said. “Referees must enforce the ten yard rule, they must police lineouts to ensure there is adequate space between players and they must be vigilant about foul play. Mr Jones made his demand of tour referees after an intense training run at the match venue yesterday morning.

He said his team was fit and prepared for today’s match and he looked forward to giving five men

the chance to play in the Australian jersey for the first time. The full-back, Andrew Leeds, the first fiveeighths, Steve James, the No. 8, Jim Mclnerney, the lock, Rod McCall, and the prop, Mick Murray, will make their Wallaby debuts. New Zealand’s leading referee, Bob Francis, of Wairarapa Bush, has charge of today’s match Mr Jones acknowledged Waikato’s forward strength, emphasised by claims that the local pack is the strongest it has been Since the province’s Ranfurly Shield tenure. Australia has lineout height but Waikato will counter with the New Zealand Maori, Liston Heke, who will jump at four, opposite the Wallaby giant, Steve Cutler, and the former Fiji international, Ilaitia Savai. Peter Kaua will captain the team from the open side flank while Waikato’s strategy will be dictated

from flyhalf by John Boe, a former All Black making his 115th appearance for the province. The selector-coach, Duncan Dysart, is attempting to give the Waikato backline new direction after a disappointing season last year which ended in the team’s demotion to the second division. Waikato: Andrew Strawbridge, Ross Wall, Pat D’Abo, Ross O’Hallahan, Chris Ellis, John Boe, Andrew Te Whaitl, John Mitchell, Stephen Burkhart, Liston Heke, Ilaitia Savai, Peter Kaua (captain), Richard Loe, Warren, Gatland, Graham Purvis. Reserves: Forwards, James . Proctor, James Marriott, Paul Gallagher. Backs, Darryl Halligan, lan Foster, Chris Humble. Australia: Andrew Leeds, lan Williams, Matt Burke, David Campese, Michael Cook, Stephen James, Nick Farr-Jones, Jim Mclnerney, Jeff Miller, Rod McCall, Steven Cutler, Simon Poidevin (captain), Mick Murray, Mark Mcßain, Gregg Burrow.