Wallaby coach opts for mix

Press, 28 July 1986, Page 44

Wallaby coach opts for mix

NZPA staff correspondent Masterton

The Wallaby coach, Alan Jones, played mix-and-match in choosing his side to play WairarapaBush in its third tour match at Memorial Park on Wednesday. Mr Jones departed entirely from the team named for the tour’s first midweek match, mixing the squad’s youngest players with the hardy old hands of its test side. Several members of the match side will make their second appearances in succession while others, the half-back, Brian Smith, and the replacement wing, Craig Morton, will play for the first time on tour. Smith missed matches against Waikato and Manawatu because of an ankle injury but has recovered and been passed fit.

Morton, summoned to bolster the Australian side after an injury to the wing, lan Williams, had not joined the team last evening but was expected in time for the match.

Wednesday’s match will leave only one member of the touring party untried after three games. The Queensland lock, Damien Frawley, has still not recovered from a shoulder injury suffered in training.

The Australian team to play Walrarapa-Bush is: David Campese, Craig Morton, Glen Ella, Michael Cook, Andrew Slack (captain), Stephen James, Brian Smith, Steve Tuynman, Jeff Miller, Steve Cutler, Rod McCall, Julian Gardner, Mark Hartill, Tom Lawton, Mick Murray.