Wallabies will win, says Mr Jones

Press, 26 July 1986, Page 76

Wallabies will win, says Mr Jones

NZPA staff correspondent Palmerston North An Australian side close to test strength hopes to return its tour to the rails, after a diffident opening at Hamilton, in its second match, against Manawatu, at the Showgrounds Oval in Palmerston North today.

The Australian coach, Alan Jones, said the application of his players in training and the development and commitment of young men yet untried convinced him the tour would take a more fruitful course with a victory over his team’s first division opponent. He gave credit to a strong forward pack and anticipated a willingness from the home team to run the ball but said Australia’s form promised a cure for the malaise which afflicted it at Waikato. "I think the team we’re putting out which has something of a test look about it, has trained outstandingly,” Mr Jones said. “We have got to put it clearly on the line: we’ve worked well, some of these players are getting better and better and there is tremendous purpose within the team. “Our side contains the bulk of the test team plus one or two people competing for test spots, so I think they will serve notice that the whole show is on the rails.” Mr Jones said the opportunity to blood two new players; the prop, Mark Hartill, and the flanker, Julian Gardner, was an exciting aspect of today’s match for the tourists. The form of the locks, Ross Reynolds and Bill Campbelll, was

equally appealing, promising an Australian advantage at set play and Wallaby domination of possession. The older and more experienced were also ready to perform today, to steady a Wallaby ship rocked at Waikato by its first encounter with the physical orientation of New Zealand rugby. The home team would still test the tourists, he said. “Manawatu have got one or two forwards who are a bit strong and they will try to more the ball round a bit, but this is a pretty formidable outfit that we are putting on the field given the way that we’ve practised and what we’ve come over here to do. “They’re a bit annoyed that they have had to wait this long to get a run so I hope we get a decent day.” The Showgrounds Oval should be holding today after persistent heavy rain. A forward battle might develop, taking pressure from a Manawatu back-line which has been reshaped by recent injuries. The All Black trialist and emerging player, lan Wood, will return to the home side at second fiveeighths to replace the former Wanganui representative, Murray Kendrick, who broke his leg in a match against

Hawke’s Bay on Tuesday. Manawatu won that match, taking most heart from the ability of its pack to dominate set pieces. It has the leadership of the All Black, Gary Knight, who will engage in a crucial individual battle with the Wallaby strongman, Enrique Rodriguez, and the support of the strong locks, Murray Rosenbrook and Richard Jerram. Its likely strategy is unclear but its obligation will be to hold a Wallaby side committed to rolling, driving play and equipped with a back-line which will exploit possession if conditions permit. Manawatu: Mark Finlay, Dave Gosling, Mark Currie, Simon Clavis, lan Wood, Ross McLeod, Chris O’Neill, Emosl Koloto, John Fisher, Richard Jerram, Murray Rosenbrook, Paul Wilkey, Graham Hurunui, Bruce Hemara, Gary Knight (captain). ® Southland’s National Mutual first division championship game against Otago at Rugby Park today carries an extra edge above the traditional rivalry between the two. Neither team has a win in the competition to date, and with both facing North Island tours in the next few weeks, the pressure is on for maximum points.